Recyclable Absorbent Article Package Material

ABSTRACT

A package of one or more absorbent articles is described. The package includes a package material having natural fibers and a plurality of panels, including a consumer-facing panel. The package is sealed such that the one or more absorbent articles are enclosed therein. The package material exhibits a water vapor transmission rate under stress conditions “SCWVTR” in accordance with ASTM F1249, as modified herein, which is about 300 g/(m 2 *day) or less. The package material is recyclable, and wherein each of the one or more absorbent articles includes super absorbent polymer (SAP) in an amount of greater than about 5 grams per article.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to disposable absorbent articles andtheir packaging, more particularly to packaging material for disposableabsorbent articles that is recyclable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Products which are environmentally friendly are at the forefront of manyconsumer's minds at this point in our history. There is an increasedfocus on products which are sustainably sourced. For example, there is astrong desire in the marketplace to create consumer products whichcomprise natural materials, bio-sourced materials, and/or recycledmaterials. On the disposal end, there is an increased focus on productswhich are bio-degradable, compostable, recyclable, reusable, and/orotherwise cause minimal landfill waste.

In the context of disposable absorbent articles, particularly disposableabsorbent article packaging, there are package materials which alreadysatisfy one or both of these criteria. For example, there are a myriadof absorbent articles which utilize carton board as their on shelfpackage. Carton board, as it is derived from wood pulp, may be one orboth sustainably sourced and recyclable. And where the products withinthe package cannot form a shelf stable surface on their own, cartonboard is useful.

Where disposable absorbent articles are capable of being compressed andforming a shelf stable surface, a more flexible material is often used,i.e. plastic. Plastic is generally preferred over carton board becauseplastic can withstand the rigors of a packaging process much more sothan carton board given the plastic's ability to flex and stretch.

Additionally, plastic can exhibit barrier properties protecting thearticles within the plastic packaging from environmental moisture. As anexample, many absorbent articles on the market utilize super absorbentpolymers within their absorbent systems. These super absorbent polymersare designed to rapidly absorb and contain liquid insults to theabsorbent article. Unfortunately, these super absorbent polymers canalso be very effective at absorbing liquid vapor, i.e. moisture from theenvironment. This absorbent moisture from the environment can beproblematic, particularly where the absorbent articles comprise wetnessindicators.

Wetness indicators are utilized by caregivers and potentially wearers toidentify when the absorbent article has absorbent a liquid insult. Wherethe absorbent articles are allowed to absorb moisture from theenvironment without any barrier inhibiting such absorption, thesewetness indicators can become activated while still in the package.

As, there is growing public demand for alternatives to plastic andnon-plastic based materials, flexible packaging materials which exhibitsufficient barrier properties which are natural based would satisfy thatdemand Such packages could reduce the likelihood that absorbent articleswith wetness indicators are prematurely activated while still in theirpackage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Packages of the present disclosure comprise one or more absorbentarticles therein and comprise a package material comprising naturalfibers. Each of the packages comprises a plurality of panels, includinga consumer-facing panel, and wherein the package is sealed such that theone or more absorbent articles are enclosed by the package material.Additionally, the packages of the present disclosure are recyclable.

In one specific example, a package of one or more absorbent articlescomprises a package material, wherein the package material comprisesnatural fibers, wherein the package comprises a plurality of panels,including a consumer-facing panel, wherein the package is adhesivelysealed such that the one or more absorbent articles are completelyenclosed therein, wherein the package material exhibits a water vaportransmission rate under stress conditions “SCWVTR” in accordance withASTM F1249, as modified herein, which is about 300 g/(m²*day) or less,about 200 g/(m²*day) or less, or about 150 g/(m²*day) or less, whereinthe package material is recyclable, and wherein the one or moreabsorbent articles comprises a substantially inactivated wetnessindicator.

In yet another example, a package of one or more absorbent articlescomprises a package material, wherein the package material comprisesnatural fibers, wherein the package comprises a plurality of panels,including a consumer-facing panel, wherein the package is adhesivelysealed such that the one or more absorbent articles are completelyenclosed therein, wherein the package material exhibits a water vaportransmission rate under stress conditions “SCWVTR” in accordance withASTM F1249, as modified herein, which is about 300 g/(m²*day) or less,about 200 g/(m²*day) or less, or about 150 g/(m²*day) or less, whereinthe package material is recyclable, and wherein each of the one or moreabsorbent articles comprises super absorbent polymer (SAP) in an amountof greater than about 5 grams per article, about 8 grams per article, orabout 10 grams per article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of a package material sheet inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a schematic representation showing the package material sheetof FIG. 1A in a folded configuration.

FIG. 1C is a schematic representation of a package in accordance withthe present disclosure in an open state.

FIG. 1D is a schematic representation of the package of FIG. 1C in aclosed state.

FIG. 1E is a schematic representation of another package of the presentdisclosure shown in a closed state.

FIG. 2A is a schematic representation showing a panel of a package ofthe present disclosure, wherein the panel comprises seals in a blockstyle configuration.

FIG. 2B is a schematic representation showing a package of the presentdisclosure, wherein the package comprises seals in a pinch bottomconfiguration.

FIG. 2C is a schematic representation showing a package of the presentdisclosure, wherein the panel comprises seals in a cross styleconfiguration.

FIG. 2D is a schematic representation showing a panel of a package ofthe present disclosure, wherein the panel comprises seals in a blockstyle configuration with seal areas.

FIG. 3A is a schematic representation showing a package in accordancewith the present disclosure constructed with a flow wrap process.

FIG. 3B is a schematic representation showing another package inaccordance with the present disclosure constructed with a flow wrapprocess.

FIG. 4A is a schematic representation showing another package inaccordance with the present disclosure constructed in accordance withthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a schematic representation showing a rotated view of thepackage of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the package of FIG. 1E showingabsorbent articles therein.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an absorbent article of thepresent disclosure showing a partial-cutaway-view of the article.

FIG. 7A shows a plan view of a diaper constructed in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7B shows a cross section of the diaper of FIG. 7A taken along lines35-35.

FIG. 7C shows a cross section of the diaper of FIG. 7B in an expandedstate.

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of an example absorbent article in the form ofa taped diaper, garment-facing surface facing the viewer, in a flatlaid-out state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term “absorbent article” as used herein refers to devices whichabsorb and contain exudates, and, more specifically, refers to deviceswhich are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer toabsorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body.Absorbent articles of the present disclosure include, but are notlimited to, diapers, adult incontinence briefs, training pants, swimpants, diaper holders, diaper outer covers, absorbent inserts for thediaper outer covers, menstrual pads, incontinence pads, liners,pantiliners, tampons, durable menstrual pants, and the like.

The term “cross-machine direction” or “CD”, as used herein, refers tothe path that is perpendicular to the machine direction in the plane ofthe web.

The term “machine direction” or “MD”, as used herein, refers to the paththat material, such as a web, follows through a manufacturing process.

The term “colorant”, as used herein, refers to inks, dyes, pigments, orthe like, used to create color in a substrate.

The term “natural fibers” as used herein, refers to fibers whichcomprise cellulose-based fibers, bamboo based fibers, and the like.Natural fibers also refers to nonwoody fibers, such as cotton, abaca,kenaf, sabai grass, flax, esparto grass, straw, jute hemp, bagasse,milkweed floss fibers, and pineapple leaf fibers; and woody, wood, orpulp fibers such as those obtained from deciduous and coniferous trees,including softwood fibers, such as northern and southern softwood kraftfibers; hardwood fibers, such as eucalyptus, maple, birch, and aspen.Pulp fibers can be prepared in high-yield or low-yield forms and can bepulped in any known method, including kraft, sulfite, high-yield pulpingmethods and other known pulping methods. The natural fibers of thepresent disclosure may be recycled natural fibers, virgin natural fibersor mixes thereof. Additionally, for good mechanical properties innatural fibers, it can be desirable that the natural fibers berelatively undamaged and largely unrefined or only lightly refined. Thefibers can have a Canadian Standard Freeness of at least 200, morespecifically at least 300, more specifically still at least 400, andmost specifically at least 500.

The term “cellulose-based fibers,” as used herein, may include cellulosefibers such as wood fiber, cotton, regenerated cellulose fiber suchviscose, lyocell, rayon or cuprammonium rayon, and high pulping yieldfibers, unless specified differently. The term “cellulose-based fibers”also includes chemically treated natural fibers, such as mercerizedpulps, chemically stiffened or crosslinked fibers, or sulfonated fibers.Also included are mercerized natural fibers, regenerated naturalcellulosic fibers, cellulose produced by microbes, the rayon process,cellulose dissolution and coagulation spinning processes, and othercellulosic material or cellulosic derivatives. Other cellulose-basedfibers included are paper broke or recycled fibers and high yieldfibers. High yield pulp fibers are those fibers produced by pulpingprocesses providing a yield of about 65% or greater, more specificallyabout 75% or greater, and still more specifically about 75% to about95%. Yield is the resulting amount of processed fibers expressed as apercentage of the initial wood mass. Such pulping processes includebleached chemithermomechanical pulp (BCTMP), chemithermomechanical pulp(CTMP), pressure/pressure thermomechanical pulp (PTMP), thermomechanicalpulp (TMP), thermomechanical chemical pulp (TMCP), high yield sulfitepulps, and high yield Kraft pulps, all of which leave the resultingfibers with high levels of lignin but are still considered to be naturalfibers. High yield fibers are well known for their stiffness in both dryand wet states relative to typical chemically pulped fibers.

Packages of the present disclosure comprise absorbent articles thereinwhich comprise super absorbent polymer, i.e. “SAP,” therein. Thepackages of the present disclosure comprise a barrier material whichreduces the rate of transfer of moisture through the package material tothe SAP of the absorbent articles within the package. Additionally, theabsorbent articles of the present disclosure may comprise a wetnessindicator which indicates when the absorbent article has incurred aliquid insult. The barrier of the packages of the present disclosureslows moisture from being absorbed by the absorbent articles thereinsuch that these wetness indicators can stay inactivated for a muchlonger period of time on shelf as compared to the absence of the barriermaterial.

The inventors have surprisingly found that some absorbent articles aremore susceptible to water or moisture vapor absorption than others. Asan example, absorbent articles which include a moisture sensitiveindicator or wetness indicator, e.g. diapers and/or training pants.These wetness indicators may be triggered in their packages prior to usedepending on the environmental conditions in which the package ofarticles is situated. Additionally, absorbent articles which have highamounts of SAP, typically absorbent gelling material, may also presentproblems with humid environments. As an example, the SAP in theseabsorbent articles may change color after absorbing an amount ofmoisture, in the form of water vapor, from the environment.Unfortunately, this color change can cause concern amongst wearer orcaregivers alike.

Additionally, the inventors have surprisingly found that while SAP iseffective at absorbing moisture from its environment in the form ofwater vapor, its absorption of water vapor does not continue until thecapacity of the SAP is depleted. Instead, the SAP will absorb watervapor for a period of time, e.g. weeks under stress conditions(described hereafter), and approaches steady state. Steady state for theamount of water vapor absorbed by SAP is much lower than the overallcapacity of the SAP. So, the SAP within the absorbent article still hascapacity to absorb liquid insults during use. As an example, steadystate can be less than about 10 percent of the total capacity of theabsorbent article. However, even at under 10 percent, enough water vapormay be absorbed to activate wetness indicators prior to wear and/orcause a color change in the SAP. A myriad of factors can impact theabsorption of moisture by SAP in an absorbent article.

As an example, the inventors, while not wishing to be bound by theory,have found the cellulose within absorbent articles is not as susceptibleto absorption of moisture of water vapor as is SAP. It is theorized thatcellulose material within the absorbent article does not absorb as muchwater vapor from the environment as does SAP. As such, it is theorizedthat absorbent articles having a high ratio of cellulose to SAP byweight may not absorb as much moisture vapor from the environment asthose absorbent articles with a lower ratio of cellulose to SAP byweight. Similarly, it is theorized that absorbent articles with a highweight or grams of SAP per absorbent article may also absorb more watervapor that absorbent articles with very low weight or grams of SAP.

For example, menstrual pads typically have much less SAP per articlethan do diapers or training pants. And similarly, menstrual padstypically have much less SAP per article than do adult incontinence padsand/or pants. It is theorized that absorbent articles comprising SAP inan amount of greater than 5 grams per article, 8 grams per article, or10 grams per article, would potentially benefit from the packages of thepresent disclosure.

Additionally, it is theorized that the amount of breathability of thebacksheet of the absorbent article may similarly contribute to orinfluence the amount of water vapor absorbed by SAP while in anabsorbent article package. As an example, a non-breathable film mayprovide a high barrier to moisture absorption by SAP, while the SAPcontaining articles are in a package. However, for diapers, pants, andadult incontinence pants with breathable films as a backsheet component,such breathable films are theorized to allow humidity to traverse thespace between or diffuse between adjacent absorbent articles within apackage. Net, it is believed that absorbent article packaging materialsof the present invention are particularly needed for absorbent articlescomprising breathable films as a backsheet component.

Another feature which can impact the amount of moisture vapor absorbedby SAP in an absorbent article is the package. While plastic films canmake great moisture barriers and hinder the absorption of moisture vaporby the SAP, plastic films are generally seen as contaminants in arecycling process which is meant for natural fibers, e.g. wood pulpand/or cellulosic materials. However, the inventors have surprisinglyfound a packaging material which comprises a natural fiber layer and afilm coating and yet is still recyclable. The film layer may be disposedon an inner surface of the natural fiber layer or on an outer surface.The film may be plastic or comprise polymeric materials. In one example,the film may comprise a polyolefin, e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, orcombinations thereof. For the sake of clarity, the film layer whilelikely not recyclable in the same recycling process as the naturalfiber, may be recyclable via other recycling means, e.g. plastic film,plastic bag recycling.

Regarding the recyclability of the package material, there is no uniformstandard which determines the recyclability of a material. In general,the higher the percent yield of natural material, the more likely thematerial is able to be recycled. In order to accommodate the higherpercent yield of natural material, e.g. wood pulp and/or cellulose, theweight percentage of the film compared to that of the natural fibershould be substantially less. As an example, the film layer can make upabout 40 percent by weight or less of the overall package material, 30percent or less, or 20 percent or less, specifically reciting all valueswithin these ranges and any ranges created thereby. As another example,the film layer can make up from between about 3 percent by weight toabout 40 percent by weight, from about 3 percent by weight to about 30percent by weight, or from about 3 percent by weight to about 20 percentby weight, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and anyranges created thereby. In one specific example, the film may make upabout 5 percent by weight or less of the overall package materialweight, about 4 percent or less, or about 3 percent or less. In anotherspecific example, the film may make up from between about 1 percent byweight to about 5 percent by weight, from about 1 percent by weight toabout 4 percent by weight, or from about 1 percent by weight to about 3percent by weight.

The basis weight of the package material can have a basis weight of frombetween 50 gsm to 120 gsm, between 60 to 105 gsm, or between 70 to 90gsm, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any rangescreated thereby. The basis weight can be determined via ISO 536 asmodified herein.

The basis weight of the film should be at least about 2 gsm. It istheorized that below this basis weight, the film may not cover asufficient enough portion of the bag to provide a suitable barrierproperty. However, aside from the foregoing, the film may be anysuitable basis weight so long as the film's basis weight is within theweight percentages described heretofore.

It is worth noting that the film laminated, coated, or otherwise joinedto the natural fiber layer forms a synergistic relationship particularlywhere the film is desired to be a smaller weight percentage of theoverall package material. For example, where the film is 5 percent byweight or less of the overall package material, this can be a very smallbasis weight film for the basis weight of package materials describedheretofore. At this very low basis weight, it is believed that the filmwould not be able to be processed reliably without being coated,laminated, or otherwise joined to the natural material layer. Andsimilarly, without the addition of the film, the natural material layermay not be able to provide much, if any, inhibition to the absorption ofmoisture vapor by the SAP within the absorbent articles in the package.

Regarding a method by which the film may be joined to the natural fiberlayer, an exemplary method is described hereafter. The film layer can bea polymer that is water insoluble. The polymer may be obtained from amanufacturer as a pre-made dispersion/emulsion of the polymer, or adispersion/emulsion may be formed if a pre-made dispersion/emulsion isnot available. The aqueous polymeric system is then coated onto thenatural fiber layer and the water (or other solvent e.g. alcohol) maythen be removed via convective or diffusive drying process. Afterwards,enough heat may be applied to form a continuous polymeric layer.

Without being limited to theory, it is believed that the most importantmaterial properties of the aqueous polymeric system are: a) the abilityof the polymer to be made into an emulsion in water; b) the resultingviscosity of the aqueous polymeric system at that temperature, higherviscosity being better for maximum distinction/separation between thelayers; c) the wetting of the aqueous polymeric system either onto asubstrate to be coated, higher wetting being better.

Another example involves thermal extrusion coating. Thermal extrusioncoating is used to apply a composition that is not water-borne. In thismethod, the polymeric composition may be melted within an extruder; themolten polymeric composition is thermally extruded onto the surface ofthe natural fiber layer followed by cooling to form the packagematerial.

In yet another example, the film may be applied to the natural fiberlayer via adhesive lamination. If such an execution is performed, careshould be taken regarding the type of adhesive as well as the amount ofadhesive used as this could impact the overall recyclability of thepackage material. If such an arrangement was used, an adhesive layer canbe applied directly to the and natural fiber layer, and a pre-made filmlayer would then be applied to the adhesive layer. A polymericcomposition can be made into a pre-made film by a variety of methodsincluding solution casing, thermal cast film extrusion and thermal blownfilm extrusion. In yet another example, heat lamination may be used toadhere the polymeric film layer to the natural fiber layer.

Regarding suitable polymeric compositions that can be utilized in thefilm layer, there are many that could be either biodegradable or couldbe non-biodegradable Some examples of biodegradable options includealiphatic aromatic polyesters (e. g., ECOFLEX® from BASF), certainthermoplastic starches (e.g., MATER-BI from Novamont's or PLANTIC® fromPlantic/Kuraray), polybutylene succinate and copolymers thereof (e.g.,BIONOLLE® from ShoWa High polymer Co. or PBSA from MitsubishiChemicals), polycaptralactone and mixtures thereof. Other suitablepolymers include polhydroyxalkoanates (PHA) and PHA copolymers such aspoly(beta-hydroxyalkanoate),poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) NODAX™ from Danimer, andpoly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) from Kaneka. Non-limitingexamples of PHA copolymers include those described in U.S. Pat. No.5,498,692. Other PHA copolymers can by synthesized by methods known toone skilled in the art, such as, from microorganisms, the ring-openingpolymerization of beta-lactones, the dehydration-polycondensation ofhydroxyalkanoic acid, and the de-alcoholization-polycondensation of thealkyl ether of hydroxyalkanoic acid, as described in Volova,“Polyhydroxy Alkanoates Plastic Materials of the 21” Century:Production, Properties, and Application, Nova Science Publishers, Inc.,(2004), incorporated herein by reference. Another example is polylacticacid (PLA). Additional examples of non-biodegradable options includepolyolefin materials, for example: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene(PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Examples of polyethylenecould include high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene,linear low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene—includingall homopolymers and copolymers of those materials. Other examples ofnon-biodegradable options could include various Surlyn's; copolymers ofstyrene-butadiene e.g. acrylo-nitrile-butadiene; acrylic copolymers;acrylate copolymers (including methyl methacrylate); acetate copolymersincluding EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate). The polymers could in some casesinclude fillers additives such as clays (e.g. kaolin) and other mineraladditives such as CaCO3 or TiO2.

Ideally, the package materials of the present disclosure would provideunlimited protection inhibiting the absorption of moisture vapor by theSAP in the absorbent articles therein. However, as explained previously,the addition of a barrier material to the natural material layer cannegatively impact the recyclability of the natural fiber layer. So,careful selection of the barrier material and thus the package materialshould be taken.

The barrier properties of the package material of the present disclosurecan be measured via ASTM F1249, i.e. the water vapor transmission rate,“WVTR.” This test can provide useful information regarding the moisturevapor transmission of a package material; however, the test is typicallyperformed at 23 degrees C. and 50 percent relative humidity. As notedpreviously, the inventors have found that some absorbent articles canreact negatively regarding moisture vapor absorption, particularly thewetness indicators of diapers, at fairly low levels of absorbedmoisture, e.g. about 6.5 grams. Additionally, there are several regionsglobally which do not have conditions like the foregoing. Rather theseregions have elevated temperatures and often times elevated relativehumidity. Based on the foregoing, the inventors have performed the ASTMF1249 WVTR test at stress conditions of 38 degrees C. and 90 percentrelative humidity. The results of this testing were the stress conditionWVTR or “SCWVTR.” In order to reduce the likelihood of the wetnessindicators being activated prematurely, the inventors have surprisinglyfound that the package materials should have an SCWVTR of about 300g/(m²*day) or less, about 200 g/(m²*day) or less, or about 150g/(m²*day) or less, specifically reciting all values within these rangesand any ranges created thereby. As a further example, package materialsof the present disclosure may exhibit an SCWVTR value of from between 20g/(m²*day) to about 300 g/(m²*day), from about 20 g/(m²*day) to about200 g/(m²*day), or from about 20 g/(m²*day) to about 150 g/(m²*day),specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any rangescreated thereby. In one specific example, the package materials of thepresent disclosure can exhibit an SCWVTR of less than about 100g/(m²*day), less than about 95 g/(m²*day), or less than about 80g/(m²*day), specifically reciting all values within these ranges and anyranges created thereby. In another specific example, the packagematerials of the present disclosure can exhibit an SCWVTR of frombetween about 20 g/(m²*day) to about 100 g/(m²*day), 20 g/(m²*day) toabout 95 g/(m²*day), or from about 20 g/(m²*day) to about 80 g/(m²*day),specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any rangescreated thereby. Still in another specific example, the packagematerials of the present disclosure can exhibit an SCWVTR of frombetween about 70 g/(m²*day) to about 150 g/(m²*day), from about 70g/(m²*day) to about 120 g/(m²*day), or from about 70 g/(m²*day) to about110 g/(m²*day), specifically reciting all values within these ranges andany ranges created thereby.

Data for a variety of materials is provided below in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Overall SCWVTR Percent Recyclability Sample No. (g/(m{circumflexover ( )}2 * day)) Recyclable Score 1 95 Pass 2 94.5 Pass 3 678 81.4Pass 4 148 87 Pass

Sample 1 is an 84 gsm brown kraft paper coated on one side, availablefrom Mondi under the trade name Aegis 95/5™.

Sample 2 is an 84 gsm white kraft paper coated on one side, availablefrom Mondi under the trade name Aegis 95/5™.

Sample 3 is a material coated on one side, available from Mondi underthe trade name Sustainex™.

Sample 4 is a 67 gsm material available from the Sappi Group under thetrade name Sappi Seal™.

Of the above tested samples, 1-4, the inventors have found that onlysample 1 and 2 satisfy the prerequisites described herein. Namely,samples 1 and 2, provide an adequate barrier to moisture as describedherein as well as have a high recyclability percentage. Note thatsamples 1 and 2 are identical with the exception that sample 1 is brownkraft paper and sample 2 is white kraft paper. It is believed that thepigments utilized in making the white kraft paper do not negativelyimpact the paper recycling process nor do they negatively impact theSCWVTR testing. So, it is believed that the SCWVTR score for Sample 1 isthe same or within a small margin of the SCWVTR of Sample 2. Similarly,it is believed that the recyclable percentage of package material ofsample 2 is the same or within a small margin of the recyclablepercentage of sample 1. And, while sample 4 provides a barrier functionas described herein, the inventors have found that sample 4 does notsatisfy the mechanical properties described herein. The mechanicalproperties of the package material of the present disclosure aredescribed hereafter.

Regarding the inactivated wetness indicator of the package of the one ormore absorbent articles of the present disclosure, it is worthdiscussing the various types of wetness indicators. First, a wetnessindicator may appear as a first color in its dry state and change to asecond color as the wetness indicator becomes wet. As more liquid isintroduced into the absorbent core of the absorbent article, more of thewetness indicator changes from the first to the second color. Where theabsorbent article is completely full, the wetness indicator willtypically show only the second color.

A second type of wetness indicator may involve graphics which onlyappear after wetness has been received by the wetness indicator. Forexample, in its dry state, the wetness indicator may not be visible ordistinguishable from the surrounding color of the absorbent article. Insuch wetness indicators, much like the first type, once liquid isreceived by the wetness indicator, a color change may occur which isvisible either through a wearer-facing surface and/or a garment-facingsurface of the article. Depending on the amount of liquid received bythe wetness indicator, only a small portion may be activated to producea color change Or, if a large amount of liquid is received, then alarger portion or all of the wetness indicator may be activated toproduce the visible color change.

A third type of wetness indicator may involve disappearing graphics. Asan example, a graphic of a full cartoon character, for example, mayappear in the dry state of the article. Once the article begins toabsorb liquid, the cartoon character will start to disappear. Once thearticle is full, the cartoon character may not appear at all of themajority of it may not appear.

Based on the foregoing discussion on wetness indicators, an inactivatedwetness indicator is one in which the wetness indicator is substantiallyavailable to receive and indicate the level of liquid within thearticle. For example, in the case of color changing or appearing wetnessindicators, a substantially inactivated wetness indicator is one inwhich 70 percent or more, 85 percent or more, or 95 percent or more, ofthe area of the wetness indicator (i) is the original (dry) color or(ii) has not appeared, specifically reciting all values within thisrange and any range created thereby. As another example, regardingdisappearing graphics, a substantially inactivated wetness indicator isone in which the disappearing graphic is present at about 70 percent ormore, 85 percent or more, or 95 percent or more, specifically recitingall values within this range an any range created thereby.

It is worth noting that where a desired recyclability percentage of thepackage materials of the present disclosure are between 60 percent and70 percent, a much more restrictive barrier to moisture may beaccommodated. It is theorized that for such constructions, the filmlayer may comprise from between about 30 percent by weight to 40 percentby weight and may exhibit an SCWVTR of about 30 g/(m²*day) or less.Where the desired recyclability percentage of the package materials ofthe present disclosure are between 70 percent and 80 percent, the weightpercentage of the film layer may be between 20 percent by weight and 30percent by weight. It is believed that at such levels, the packagematerial of the present disclosure may exhibit an SCWVTR of about 50g/(m²*day) or less. Where the desired recyclability percentage of thepackage material of the present disclosure is between 80 percent and 90percent, the film layer may comprise from between 10 percent by weightand 20 percent by weight. It is believed that at such levels, thepackage material of the present disclosure may exhibit an SCWVTR ofabout 80 g/(m²*day) or less. Where the desired recyclability percentageof the package material of the present disclosure is desired to begreater than 90 percent, the film layer may comprise 10 percent or lessby weight. It is believed that at such levels, the package material ofthe present disclosure may exhibit an SCWVTR of about 100 g/(m²*day) orless.

The inventors have also surprisingly found that the rate of moistureabsorption could further be reduced via additional packaging. As anexample, the package material of the present disclosure may be utilizedas a primary package. The primary package is the package which comprisesthe absorbent articles therein. The primary package is typically what isplaced on shelf and sold to consumers.

To ship primary packages to retailers, secondary packages may beutilized. Secondary packages typically comprise a plurality of primarypackages therein. In order to reduce the rate at which moisture isabsorbed by the absorbent articles, these secondary packages maysimilarly be provided with a film layer either internally and/orexternally. This internal and/or external film can reduce the rate atwhich moisture is absorbed by the absorbent articles within the primarypackage. Additionally or independently of the film of the secondarypackages, a plurality of secondary packages may be shipped together on apallet. This plurality of secondary packages may also comprise a filmwrap which helps stabilize the plurality of secondary packages. However,in addition to stabilizing the plurality of secondary packages, thisfilm wrap may further reduce the rate of water vapor absorption withinthe primary packages. These film wraps for pallet stabilization areknown in the art and are generally polyolefin based.

The plurality of secondary packages can stay wrapped in the outer filmwrap until required to unpack by a seller of the products. Similarly,the secondary packages may stay sealed until the primary packagestherein are needed. Each of the secondary packages may comprise packageinformation providing instructions on how and/or when to open. Suchinformation can help reduce the overall amount of moisture absorbed bythe SAP in the absorbent articles as the secondary packages would not beopened until needed.

Where the packages of the present disclosure have sufficient barrier tomoisture absorption, wetness indicators as well as SAP within theabsorbent articles will have a longer shelf life. For example, it isbelieved that under stress conditions, i.e. 38 degrees C. and 90 percentrelative humidity, the absorbent articles within the packages of thepresent disclosure will absorb less than 4.5 grams of moisture perarticle for a sufficient period of time. Additionally, it is believedthat absorbent articles within the packages of the present disclosurewill absorb less than 7 grams of moisture per article for an even longerperiod of time.

As noted previously, the film in the package material of the presentdisclosure is considered to be a contaminant in the recycling processfor natural based materials, e.g. wood pulp and/or cellulose.Unfortunately, in addition to the film, other materials which may beutilized in the construction of the packages of the present disclosuremay also be deemed contaminants. For example, the packages of thepresent disclosure comprise seals. These seals ensure that the absorbentarticles within the package have reduced likelihood of contaminationfrom the environment external to the package. Additionally, colorantand/or coatings may be utilized to provide branding, background color,and/or package information on the package. The use of adhesives,coatings and/or colorants, are discussed in additional detail hereafter.

We now turn our focus to the recyclability of the packages of thepresent disclosure. The recycling process can determine the percent ofrecyclable material and also the amount of reject material, i.e. theamount of material which is not recyclable. Some specific examples ofstandards which may be useful in determining whether package material isrecyclable, the percent recyclable material, and the percent ofnon-recyclable material, include the PTS method and Western Michiganmethod, and each is described below in additional detail. These methodspertain to the recyclability of materials which comprise wood fibersand/or pulp fibers. These methods are discussed in additional detailhereafter.

Package materials of the present disclosure may comprise natural fiberswhich form a paper. The package material may comprise at least 50percent by weight natural fibers, at least 70 percent by weight naturalfibers, or at least 90 percent by weight natural fibers, specificallyreciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby.As yet another example, the package material may comprise 95 percent byweight natural fibers. The package materials of the present disclosuremay comprise between 50 percent by weight to 100 percent by weightnatural fibers, between 70 percent by weight to 99.9 percent by weight,or between 90 percent by weight to 99.9 percent by weight naturalfibers. It is worth noting that where the weight percentage of naturalfibers is less than 100 percent, there is room for coatings, colorants,films and/or adhesives, if desired.

In order to increase the likelihood that the package material isrecyclable, the total weight percentage of non-recyclable material, e.g.adhesives, film, coatings and/or colorants, in the package material ofthe present disclosure may be carefully selected. For example, thepackage material of the present disclosure may comprise 50 percent byweight or less, 30 percent by weight or less, or about 15 percent byweight or less of non-recyclable material, specifically including allvalues within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. As anotherexample, the package materials of the present disclosure may comprisefrom between about 0.1 percent to about 50 percent by weight, from about0.1 percent to about 30 percent by weight, or from about 0.1 percent toabout 15 percent by weight of non-recyclable material, specificallyincluding all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby.If increased likelihood of recyclability is desired, the weightpercentage of non-recyclable materials can be 5 percent by weight orless, or between 0.1 percent to 5 percent by weight, specificallyreciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby.

The effectiveness of the recycling process on the package material ofthe present disclosure may be determined via recyclable percentage.Package material of the present disclosure can exhibit recyclablepercentages of 60 percent or greater, 80 percent or greater, or 90percent or greater, specifically reciting all values within these rangesand any ranges created thereby. The packaging material of the presentdisclosure can have a recyclable percentage of between 60 percent toabout 99.9 percent, from about 80 percent to about 99.9 percent, or fromabout 90 percent to about 99.9 percent, specifically reciting all valueswithin these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In one specificexample, the package material of the present disclosure may exhibit arecyclable percentage of from about 90 percent to about 99.9 percent,from about 94 percent to about 99.9 percent, or from about 96 percent toabout 99.9 percent, specifically including all values within theseranges and any ranges created thereby. The recyclable percentage of thepackage material of the present disclosure can be determined via testPTS-RH:021/97 (Draft October 2019) under category II, as performed byPapiertechnische Stiftung located at Pirnaer Strasse 37, 01809 Heidenau,Germany.

Along with recyclable percentage, the total reject percentage can bedetermined via the PTS-RH:021/97 (Draft October 2019) under category IItest method. However, unlike the recyclable percentage, in order toincrease the likelihood of recyclability, the total reject percentagecan be decreased. For example, the total reject percentage of thepackage material of the present disclosure can be 40 percent or less,about 20 percent or less, or less than about 10 percent or less,specifically including all values within these ranges and any rangescreated thereby. For example, the total rejection percentage of thepackage material of the present disclosure can be from 0.1 percent to 40percent, from 0.1 percent to 20 percent, or from 0.1 percent to 10percent, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and anyranges created thereby. In one specific example, the total rejectpercentage can be less than 6 percent, or between 0.1 percent to 6percent, 0.1 to 4 percent, or 0.1 to 3 percent, specifically includingall values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby.

For the sake of clarity, the percent non-recyclable material does notnecessarily have a 1:1 correlation to the total reject percentage. Forexample, the use of dissolvable adhesives is disclosed herein. As theseadhesives are designed to dissolve during the recycling process, it istheorized that these adhesive would not have an impact on the totalreject percentage; however, they would contribute to the non-recyclablematerial weight percent.

It is worth noting that the test method PTS-RH:021/97 (Draft October2019) under category II, comprises a handsheet inspection component.Trained screeners inspect one or more handsheets of recycled packagematerial for visual imperfections and tackiness. If the number of visualimperfections is too great or if too tacky, then the package material isrejected. If the number of visual imperfections is acceptable and thehandsheet is not too tacky, in accordance with the PTS-RH:021/97 (DraftOctober 2019) method, then the package material is approved foradditional processing. The package material of the present disclosurecan yield an acceptable level of visual imperfections and tackinessduring this step of the PTS method.

The package material of the present disclosure can yield the recyclablepercentages mentioned heretofore as well as pass the handsheet screeningmethod. So the package material of the present disclosure can achieve anoverall score or final outcome of “pass” when subjected to thePTS-RH:021/97 (Draft October 2019) under category II, recycling testmethod.

It is also worth noting that there is an alternative method fordetermining the recyclable percentage of the package material of thepresent disclosure. The test method performed by the University ofWestern Michigan called the Repulpability Test can provide a percentyield of recyclable material. The package material of the presentdisclosure can achieve a percentage yield, in accordance with theRepulpability Test, which is greater than about 60 percent, greater thanabout 80 percent, or greater than about 90 percent, specificallyreciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby.The packaging material of the present disclosure can have a percentyield of between 60 percent to about 99.9 percent, from about 80 percentto about 99.9 percent, or from about 90 percent to about 99.9 percent,specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any rangescreated thereby. In one specific example, the package material of thepresent disclosure can exhibit a percentage yield of recyclable materialwhich is between 80 percent and 99.9 percent, specifically including allvalues within this range and any ranges created thereby. In suchexample, the package material may comprise a base color of brown. Inanother specific example, the package material of the present disclosurecan exhibit a percentage yield of recyclable material which is between85 percent and 99.9 percent, specifically including all values withinthis range and any ranges created thereby. In such example, the packagematerial may comprise a base color of white. Base colors of packagematerials are discussed in additional detail herein.

It is contemplated that the package material of the present disclosure,while being recyclable, may itself comprise recycled material. Suchdetermination can be made from a visual inspection of the packagematerial. For example, manufacturers typically advertise the use ofrecycled materials in an effort to demonstrate their eco-friendlypackaging approach. To further expand on this example, somemanufacturers may utilize a logo, e.g. a leaf, along with wording toindicate packaging which comprises recycled material. Often times,manufacturers may specify the percentage of recycled material utilizedas well, e.g. over 50 percent, over 70 percent, etc.

Visual inspection can be as simple as utilizing the human eye to inspectpackages for logos of the use of recycled material. Additionally oralternatively, visual inspection may include microscopy methods such asoptical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy or other suitablemethods known in the art. For example, package material comprisingrecycled paper fibers could look different under a microscope due to thepresence of a much wider range of natural fiber types than if thepackage material comprised 100% non-recycled paper. As another example,under a microscope, potentially scanning electron microscope, recycledfibers, due to their processing may appear more fibrillated than theirvirgin fiber counterparts.

The package material of the present disclosure can be arranged as apackage in a myriad of configurations containing one or more absorbentarticles. For example, the package may comprise a plurality of panels,including a consumer-facing panel. The consumer-facing panel is the faceof the package, when on shelf, that faces the consumer. In general, theconsumer-facing panel comprises branding and/or package information,each of which is described in additional detail herein. Each of theplurality of panels comprises an inner surface and an outer surface.

Packages of the present disclosure may comprise a generally cuboidshape. So, in addition to the consumer-facing panel, the packages of thepresent disclosure may further comprise a back panel opposing theconsumer-facing panel, a left panel disposed between the consumer-facingpanel and the back panel, a right panel opposing the left panel, abottom panel disposed between the consumer-facing panel and the backpanel, and an opposing top panel.

The package material may be unitary. For example, multiple folds may beutilized to form the plurality of panels of the package. To furtherelucidate the example where the package is a cuboid shape, at least onefold may be disposed between each of: (1) the consumer-facing panel andthe left panel; (2) between the consumer-facing panel and the rightpanel; (3) between the consumer-facing panel and the top panel; and (4)between the consumer-facing panel and the bottom panel. Additionally, atleast one fold may be disposed between each of: (1) the back panel andthe left panel; (2) between the back panel and the right panel; (3)between the back panel and the top panel, and (4) between the back paneland the bottom panel.

As an alternative to the foregoing, the packages of the presentdisclosure may comprise package material which comprises a plurality ofdiscrete portions. Such configurations are described in additionaldetail herein

For packages which comprise a cuboid shape, the consumer-facing panelmay be positioned generally perpendicular to a store shelf whereas thebottom panel may sit generally flat on the store shelf or atop anotherpackage. Generally perpendicular, assuming the store shelf to beperfectly horizontal, means that the consumer-facing panel is withinplus or minus 35 degrees of a vertical orientation. Generally flat,again assuming the store shelf to be perfectly horizontal, means thatthe bottom panel is within plus or minus 35 degrees of a horizontalorientation. Alternatively, the consumer-facing panel, in someconfigurations, may be oriented generally horizontal to the store shelfand face the consumer as the consumer looks down on the package.

Other package shapes are contemplated. Examples of such packages includeflow wrap or horizontal form-fill and seal wrap. Such packages maycomprise a generally cuboid shape also configured as described above.However, in some instances, particularly where a low number of absorbentarticles are included therein, these packages may comprise aconsumer-facing panel and an opposing back panel. In such packages, ahoop seal is formed, as described herein, as well as end seals. In suchconfigurations, the consumer-facing panel may be oriented generally in avertical direction or in a generally horizontal direction. Additionally,in such packages, there may be an absence of fold lines whichdistinguish the consumer-facing panel from the back panel. Instead,there may be a curved surface between these panels.

Additional examples are contemplated where package shapes comprisingless than six panels are formed. Building on these examples, packageshaving a circular or semi-circular shape when viewed from a bottom panelare contemplated. Additionally, packages having a triangular shape whenviewed from the bottom panel are contemplated. Regardless of the numberof panels comprised by the packages of the present disclosure, thepackage comprises a consumer-facing panel.

Coatings and Colorants

Each of the plurality of panels comprises an inner surface and an outersurface. The outer surface and/or inner surface of one or more panelsmay comprise colorants and/or coatings, which create branding on thepackage, package information, and/or background color, etc. The brandingand/or package information can be provided on an outer surface and/orinner surface of at least one panel, e.g. the consumer-facing panel.Branding can include logos, trade names, trademarks, icons, and thelike, associated with the absorbent articles within the package.Branding can be utilized to inform a consumer of the brand of theabsorbent articles within the package. As an example, branding for apackage of feminine hygiene pads may comprise the brand name Always®.

Package information can include the size of the absorbent articles, thenumber of absorbent articles within the package, an exemplary image ofthe absorbent articles contained within the package, recyclabilitylogos, and the like, associated with the absorbent articles within thepackage. Additionally, package information can include informationregarding the package material itself, e.g. recyclability logos,certifications from various organizations, or the like. As an example,package information for a package of feminine hygiene pads may comprisea size indicator, e.g. “Size 1.” Other panels of the package maysimilarly include branding, package information, and/or backgroundcolor, along with that associated with the consumer-facing panel.

Additionally, one or more panels of the packages of the presentdisclosure may comprise colorants and/or coatings, to provide abackground color to the packages of the present disclosure. To furtherclarify the background color, it is worth noting that the packagingmaterial comprises a base color. A base color of the package material isthe color of the package material without colorants and/or coatings. Forexample, bleached package material is white in color, unbleached isbrown in color, and package material which includes recycled content isgrey in color. A background color is any color that is not a base color,e.g. blue, red, green, yellow, purple, orange, black, or combinationsthereof. However, background color can also include white, brown, orgrey, if the background color is achieved via colorants and/or coatings.

As noted previously, the use of colorants and/or coatings may beconsidered to be contaminants in the recyclability stream. So the use ofcolorants and/or coatings should be carefully reviewed.

In order to reduce the use of colorants and/or coatings, for the benefitof the recycling process, a base color of the package material may beutilized. For example, packages where the consumer-facing panelcomprises branding, package information, and/or background color, whileone or more panels comprise a base color are contemplated. In onespecific example, the bottom panel and/or back panel may utilize thebase color of the package material instead of a background color. One ormore of the bottom panel, top panel, left panel, right panel, backpanel, or any combination thereof may utilize the package material basecolor instead of a background color. In another example, theconsumer-facing panel independently or in conjunction with other panelsmay comprise a base color. To further build on this example, the packagemay comprise absorbent articles which comprise natural-based components,e.g. cotton topsheet and/or non-chlorine bleached pulp in an absorbentcore. In such examples, the consumer-facing panel may comprise a basecolor of white. In this same example, in conjunction with the basecolor, the consumer-facing panel may further comprise branding,background color (associated with the branding), and/or packageinformation. In still another example, one or more panels may comprisepackage information, which in part, comprises a base color. To furtherbuild on this example, the base color may be a first color, e.g. white,and a background color may be applied to a panel with a negative imageof the package information, such that the package information, or aportion thereof, is not covered by the background color, and the packageinformation comprises the first color.

Still in other examples, the seams of the packages of the presentdisclosure may comprise less colorant coverage than adjacent areas onthe same panel. For example, a portion of a panel which is joined toanother portion of the panel to form a seal, may comprise a seam area.The seam area may comprise less colorant or even no colorant than theportion of the panel adjacent thereto. Each seal may comprise a seamarea which comprises less colorant or even no colorant than an adjacentarea to the seal.

Still in other examples, a first panel may comprise a colorant percentcoverage which is different than a second panel. Further elucidatingthis example, the consumer-facing panel may have a colorant percentcoverage which is higher than another panel of the package, e.g. bottompanel. As noted, absorbent articles which are natural based, e.g. cottontopsheets or other components, non-chlorine bleached cores, no addedcolorants, and/or no added scents, may rely more on the base colors ofthe package material. As an example, such packages may comprise aconsumer-facing panel comprising a colorant coverage of 75 percent orless, 50 percent or less, or 40 percent or less. Further theconsumer-facing panel may comprise a colorant coverage of from betweenabout 10 percent to about 75 percent, from about 15 percent to about 50percent, or from about 20 percent to about 40 percent, specificallyreciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby.

In such packages other panels may be configured having a higherpercentage of colorant coverage, lower percentage, or a mix thereof. Forexample, in such configurations, a bottom panel may comprise a lowerpercentage of colorant coverage. A back panel, left panel, and/or rightpanel may comprise a higher percent colorant coverage percentage or alower percentage of colorant coverage. These same values may apply forflow wrap package configurations described herein as well.

Natural based products as described are not necessarily limited to theforegoing colorant coverages; however, less colorant percentage can meanless colorant weight percentage which can be beneficial from arecyclability standpoint. In another example, absorbent articlepackaging in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise aconsumer-facing panel having a colorant coverage of 100 percent, 99percent or less, or 98 percent or less. For example, packages inaccordance with the present disclosure may comprise a consumer-facingpanel having a colorant coverage percentage of from between 60 percentto about 100 percent, from about 60 percent to about 99 percent, or fromabout 60 percent to about 98 percent. In such configurations, otherpanels may comprise the same percentage of colorant coverage or maycomprise a lower percent of colorant coverage. Colorant coveragepercentage is determined via the Percentage of Colorant CoverageMeasurement Method described herein.

It is worth nothing that careful selection of the paper may be requiredto achieve the desired recyclability percentage. For example, theinventors have surprisingly found that while the colorants and/orcoating can play a very minor role in the overall weight percentage ofthe package material, the colorants and/or coatings, do form a portionof the overall percentage. Accordingly, where the desired recyclabilitypercentage is 95 percent or greater, it may be advisable to utilize apackage material having a white base color. Where packaging materialhaving a white base color is utilized, the amount of colorant and/orcoating may be reduced as the absorbent article manufacturer may be ableto utilize the base color in the overall packaging color scheme. Suchexecutions of packaging may be useful for absorbent articles comprisingcotton components and/or other natural components. Where recyclabilitypercentages desired are less than 95 percent, then any suitable basecolor may be utilized.

While any suitable colorants may be utilized, the inventors havesurprisingly found that water based colorants typically dissolve morereadily in water during the recycling process. So, water based colorantscan facilitate the recycling process for the packages of the presentdisclosure. Any suitable water based colorant may be utilized. Waterbased colorants are well known in the art.

It is worth noting that solvent based colorants and/or energy curablecolorants may also be utilized. However, the use of these types ofcolorants can add complication to the manufacturing of the packagematerial. For example, solvent based colorants generally exhaustvolatile organic compounds which are required to be removed from theair. Additionally, solvent based colorants may comprise components whichdo not readily dissolve in water during the recycling process whichcould negatively impact the recyclability of the package material.

Energy curable colorants may also be utilized; however, much like thesolvent based colorants, energy curable colorants can add complicationto the processing of the package material. And much like the solventbased colorants, the energy curable colorants may comprise componentswhich are not readily dissolvable in water during the recycling processwhich could negatively impact the recyclability of the package material.

Any suitable coating utilized for packaging material may be utilized.Coatings can be utilized to protect the background color, branding,and/or package information. Additionally, coatings may be utilized toprovide anti-static benefits, coefficient of friction benefits, and/orappearance benefits, e.g. gloss, matte, satin, high gloss, etc.) Muchlike water based colorants, the inventors have surprisingly found thatwater based coatings, if utilized, may facilitate the recycling processof the package material. Suitable coatings comprise varnishes which arewell known in the art. Any suitable coating/varnish may be utilized.

Package Seals

As noted previously, packages of the present disclosure may alsocomprise a plurality of seals. Seals are package material seams whichhave been attached to one another. Seams are areas of the package whereat least two portions of the package material have the ability tooverlap one another. Seals are created when the at least two portions ofthe package material in the seam are joined to one another. For example,a bottom panel may comprise seams where ends of the package materialoverlap. An adhesive may be provided on an interior surface of a firstportion of the bottom panel and/or on an exterior surface of a secondportion of the bottom panel as well as on an exterior surface of a baseportion of the bottom panel to create one or more seals. The top panelmay comprise seals where ends of the package material are joinedtogether similar to the seals of the bottom panel. While the seals maybe provided on any panel of the package, it is recommended that aconsumer-facing panel not include seams or seals. Seams and seals can bevisibly non-appealing for consumers.

It is worth noting that seams may comprise overlap areas of packagematerial as described heretofore. Namely, adhesive may be applied on aninner surface of a first portion of the package material and/or an outersurface of a second portion of the package material. The first portionand the second portion can then be joined together to create an overlapseal. However, butt seals may also be created. Butt seals can be createdwhere adhesive is applied to the inner surface of a first portion of thepackage material and/or the inner surface of a second portion of thepackage material. The inner surfaces of the first portion and the secondportion may be joined to form a butt seal. Butt seals and overlap sealsare discussed in additional detail hereafter.

It is also worth noting that while the use of adhesives is describedherein to form seals, the barrier material, e.g. film layer, may beutilized independently or in conjunction with adhesive. For example,where the film layer is polyethylene, seals may be created via heatsealing the film layer to itself with or without the use of adhesive.

The seals are important to ensure that the packages of the presentdisclosure have a reduced likelihood of exposure of the one or moreabsorbent articles therein to the environment outside of the packagematerial. The use of seals, as described herein, can provide adequatesealing of the package material such that absorbent articles within thepackage are not exposed to the exterior environment. Simply folding orrolling of the package material does not form a seal and is notsufficient to protect the one or more absorbent articles therein fromthe external environment.

In order to survive the rigors of the shipping, stocking, and handlingby the consumer, the seals should have a requisite strength.Complicating the requirement for the requisite seal strength are a fewvariables, i.e. the type of seal and the level of compression of the oneor more absorbent articles within the package. An additionalcomplication is that adhesives are considered non-recyclable material.However, the inventors have surprisingly found that with carefulselection of the type of adhesive as well as the weight percentage, theseal strength requirements can be met along with maintaining therecyclability of the package material.

Regarding the types of seals, the plurality of seals of the packages ofthe present disclosure may comprise an access seal, a hoop seal, and abottom seal. Flow wrap packages may be configured to comprise theseseals as well. Or, the flow wrap packages may comprise a pair ofopposing end seals and a hoop seal between the end seals. In thisconfiguration, an access seal may similarly be provided.

The access seal may be provided as a seal which is opened by theconsumer to access the one or more absorbent articles within thepackage. Access seals are described in additional detail in U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/089,661, filed on Oct. 9,2020, entitled “Absorbent Article Packages with Natural Fibers andOpening Features.”

The hoop seal can be the initial seal created in the package makingprocess. The hoop seal is described in additional detail regarding FIGS.1A and 1B. In some forms, the hoop seal may comprise a plurality ofseals as described regarding FIGS. 4A and 4B. The bottom seal can belocated on the bottom panel. The bottom seal and its configuration arediscussed in additional detail hereafter regarding FIGS. 2A-2D. The endseals are also discussed hereafter regarding FIGS. 3A and 3B.

In general the packages of the present disclosure may comprise sealswhich have a tensile strength of at least 3 N/in. For example, each ofthe plurality of seals of the packages of the present disclosure mayhave a tensile strength of between 3N/in to about 40 N/in, from about3N/in to about 35 N/in, or from about 3N/in to about 30 N/in,specifically reciting all values included within these ranges and anyranges created thereby. For packages comprising absorbent articles whichdo not comprise a large amount of compression, e.g. menstrual pads,light adult incontinence pads, liners, packages with 6 or less absorbentarticles therein, and the like, the tensile strength of the seals ofthis package may be from about 3 N/in to about 25 N/in, from about 3N/in to about 20 N/in, or from about 3 N/in to about 15 N/in,specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any rangescreated thereby.

As stated previously, for packages comprising compressed absorbentarticles, the hoop seal may comprise a higher tensile strength than atleast one of the other seals. For example, the hoop seal may comprise atensile strength of between 15N/in to about 40 N/in, from about 20 N/into about 35 N/in or from about 22 N/in to about 30 N/in, specificallyreciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby.In such packages, the one or more absorbent articles may comprisediapers or adult incontinence pants or moderate to heavy use adultincontinence pads. Additional examples are contemplated wherein at leastone seal comprises a higher tensile strength than another seal. Forexample, the bottom seal may comprise a higher tensile strength than thehoop seal and/or the access seal. In another example, the access sealmay comprise a high tensile strength than the hoop seal, bottom seal, orend seals. In yet another example, at least one end seal may comprise ahigher tensile strength than the other end seal and/or the hoop seal.Additionally, the inventors have surprisingly found that the accessseal, can have a lower tensile strength than the hoop seal, and/or anyother seal. In forms where the access seal is located on the top panelof the package, there is generally not as much load as on the hoop sealand other seal(s), e.g. bottom seal, end seal. It is worth noting thatthe access seal may be disposed on one or more of the top panel, rightpanel, and/or left panel. Or for flow wrap packages which comprise endseals and a hoop seal, one of the end seals can act as the access seal.

Alternatively, packages of the present disclosure may be configured suchthat the seals comprise similar tensile strengths. For example, each ofthe plurality of seals can have a tensile strength of at least 10N/in.In such forms, each of the seals can have a tensile strength which iswithin 15% of the tensile strength of the remainder of the seals of thepackage. However, as noted previously, since adhesives are considerednon-recyclable material, their use should be carefully reviewed toensure that the package material maintains its ability to be recycled.The tensile strengths of the seals mentioned herein can be determined bythe tensile test method described in ASTM F88-06 as modified herein.

As was noted previously, where present, the type as well as amount ofadhesive utilized for the seals of the packages of the presentdisclosure can impact the recyclability of the package. As an example,adhesives which can dissolve in water during the re-pulping stage of thedisintegration step of the recycling process may be particularlysuitable for the packages of the present disclosure. Such adhesivesinclude starch based adhesives, polyvinyl alcohol based adhesives, andpolyethylene oxide based adhesives. One suitable example of a starchbased adhesive is available from LD Davis located in Monroe, N.C., underthe trade name AP0420CR. One suitable example, of a polyvinyl alcoholbased adhesive is available from Sekisui Chemical Company, located inOsaka, Japan, under the trade name Selvol 205. One suitable example of apolyethylene oxide based adhesive is available from Dow Chemicals Co.located in Midland, Mich., under the trade name WSR N-80.

If the adhesive is not water-soluble, then water-dispersible adhesivesmay similarly be utilized. Suitable examples of water dispersibleadhesives include thermoplastic elastomer based adhesives and polyvinylacetate based adhesives. One suitable example of a thermoplasticelastomer based adhesive is available from Actega located in Blue Ash,Ohio, under the trade name Yunico 491. One suitable example of apolyvinyl acetate based adhesive is available from Bostik located inMilwaukee, Wis., under the trade name Aquagrip 4419U01. Another suitableexample of a polyvinyl acetate based adhesive is available from HBFuller under the trade name PD-0330.

Any suitable pressure sensitive adhesives may be utilized as well. Onesuitable example of a pressure sensitive adhesives includes sold byFormulated Polymer Products Ltd. Located in Bury, Lancashire, England,and sold under the trade name FP2154. As one specific example, theaccess seal may comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that packages ofthe present disclosure which utilize adhesives dissolvable in water maycomprise a higher weight percentage of such adhesives than adhesiveswhich are only water dispersible. For example, packages comprising waterdissolvable adhesives may comprise a first weight percentage of adhesivewhile packages comprising water dispersible adhesives may comprise asecond weight percentage of adhesive. It is believed that the firstweight percentage may be greater than the second weight percentage forthe purposes of recycling the package material.

As noted previously, the packages of the present disclosure may utilizea dissolvable adhesive, dispersible adhesive, pressure sensitiveadhesive, or any combination thereof. However, the choice of adhesivesshould be considered carefully from a weight percentage standpoint.Where dissolvable adhesives are utilized, the adhesive may comprise atleast one of the following: starch based, polyethylene oxide based,polyvinyl alcohol based, or combinations thereof. Sample 4 illustratesthat even at 14 percent by weight, the dissolvable adhesive (starchbased) passed the PTS method disclosed herein whereas polyvinyl acetateat the same weight percentage did not pass the PTS test.

It is worth noting that the characteristics of the seals of the packagesof the present disclosure may depend on how the package material isprocessed. For example, an absorbent article manufacturer may purchasethe package pre-formed. In such instances, the absorbent articlemanufacturer may receive from a paper package manufacturer essentiallyan open bag comprising a panel with a hoop seal and a panel with anotherseal, e.g. bottom seal. The other seal, e.g. bottom seal, may beconfigured in a block style, a cross style or pinch style arrangement.Such configurations are discussed in additional detail hereafterregarding FIGS. 2A-2D.

In creating an access seal, the absorbent article manufacturer mayutilize the same adhesive utilized in the hoop seal and/or other seal,e.g. bottom seal. Alternatively, the absorbent article manufacturer mayutilize an adhesive which is different than that of the hoop seal and/orthe other seal, e.g. bottom seal.

It is also possible that the absorbent article manufacturer produces thepackages themselves. For example, an absorbent article manufacturer mayhave the capability to produce the open bag, similar to above andsubsequently fill it with one or more absorbent articles and thereafterseal it without the need for purchasing such bags from a supplier.

Another example where an absorbent article manufacturer produces thepackages themselves include the flow wrap configuration. In suchconfiguration, the manufacturer forms the package about the one or moreabsorbent articles as opposed to placing the one or more absorbentarticles into a pre-formed bag. These types of packages of the presentdisclosure may comprise end seals and a hoop seal and may additionallycomprise an access seal or one of the end seals may comprise the accessseal.

Regardless of whether an absorbent article manufacturer purchasespre-made bags from a supplier or make the packages themselves, theforegoing seal configurations may still be provided. Namely, at leastone seal may comprise a different adhesive than the other seals, or theadhesive in the seals may comprise the same adhesive. Or, where thepackage material comprises a barrier layer, the packages of the presentdisclosure may not comprise any adhesive.

Much like the use of colorants and/or coatings, the use of adhesiveshould similarly be carefully reviewed when utilizing a film layer forits barrier properties. As an example, where a recyclability percentageof about 95 percent or greater is desired, the film layer may beselected such that it occupies 3 percent by weight or less of thepackage material. The adhesives, colorants, and/or coatings, can thenoccupy about 2 percent by weight. In order to ensure that the 3 percentby weight film layer is adequate regarding the package materials SCWVTR,the weight percentage of the natural material layer may need to beincreased. As such, it may be prudent to utilize a film barrier layerwhich obviates the need for adhesives. For example, a film layercomprising a polyolefin may be utilized. Such films can, in addition toproviding barrier properties, also be utilized to form one or more ofthe package seals. This can reduce (or eliminate) the need for adhesivesand allow for greater flexibility of the weight percentage of the film.This can help to increase the recyclability percentage of the packagematerial. Where the film layer is utilized in place of the adhesive, thepackage material of the present disclosure may be substantially free ofadhesive. For example, seals of the packages of the present disclosuremay comprise 2 percent or less by weight, 1 percent or less by weight,or less than 1 percent or less by weight of the overall packagematerial.

It is worth noting that adhesive may be utilized for additional reasons.For example, where the feature of resealability is desired, an adhesivemay be provided near the access seal area to allow for resealability ofthe package. The ability to reclose the package can help to protect thearticles within the package from contamination of the externalenvironment and also inhibit moisture from the environment from beingabsorbed by the articles in the package. One suitable example of anadhesive which can be utilized is a pressure sensitive adhesive. Onespecific example of a pressure sensitive adhesive is available fromBostik and sold under the trade name Aquagrip® JB018. Additionally, thepackage on one or more of the plurality of panels may includeinstructions to the user to reseal the package when articles are notrequired to be accessed.

We now turn our focus to some of the mechanical properties of thepackage material. In order to withstand the rigors of a manufacturingprocess where a plurality of absorbent articles is disposed within thepackage, withstand the rigors of being shipped, provide protection fromenvironmental insults during shipping and while on the store shelf, andprovide for product protection while in the consumers home, the packagematerial may have some level of strength, stretch, and resilience. As anexample, package material of the present disclosure may exhibit an MDtensile strength of at least 4.7 kN/m, at least 7 kN/m, or at least 8kN/m, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and anyranges created thereby. The MD tensile strength may be between 4.7 kN/mto 8.5 kN/m, or between 5.2 kN/m and 8.2 kN/m, or between 5.5 kN/m and8.0 kN/m, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and anyranges created thereby. The MD tensile strength is measured using ISO1924-3 as modified herein.

As another example, the package material of the present disclosure canexhibit a CD tensile strength of at least 2.7 kN/m, at least 4 kN/m, orat least 5.5 kN/m, specifically reciting all values within these rangesand any ranges created thereby. The CD tensile strength may be between2.7 to 6.5 kN/m, between 2.7 to 6.2 kN/m, or between 2.7 to 6 kN/m,specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any rangescreated thereby. The CD tensile strength is measured using ISO 1924-3 asmodified herein.

As another example, the package material of the present disclosure canexhibit a burst strength of at least 185 kPa, at least 250 kPa, or atleast 550 kPa, specifically reciting all values within these ranges andany ranges created thereby. The burst strength of the package materialof the present disclosure can be between 185 to 600 kPa, between 220 to550 kPa, or between 250 to 500 kPa, specifically reciting all valueswithin these ranges and any ranges created thereby. The burst strengthis measured using ISO 2758 as modified herein.

As another example, the package material of the present disclosure mayexhibit an MD stretch at break, at least 3 percent, or at least 6percent, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and anyranges created thereby. The package material of the present disclosurecan exhibit an MD stretch at break of between 3 to 6.5 percent, between3.2 to 6.2 percent, or between 3.5 to 6 percent, specifically recitingall values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby. The MDstretch at break is measured using ISO 1924-3 as modified herein.

As another example, the package material of the present disclosure canexhibit a CD stretch at break of at least 4 percent, at least 6 percent,or at least 9 percent, specifically reciting all values within theseranges and any ranges created thereby. The package material of thepresent disclosure can exhibit a CD stretch at break of from 4 to 10percent, from 4.5 to 9.5 percent, or from 5 to 9 percent, specificallyreciting all values within these ranges and any ranges created thereby.The CD stretch at break is measured using ISO 1924-3 as modified herein.

Regarding caliper, the package material of the present disclosure canexhibit caliper of at least 50 μm, at least 70 μm, or at least 90 μm,specifically reciting all values within these ranges and any rangescreated thereby. The package material of the present disclosure canexhibit caliper of between 50 to 110 μm, from 55 to 105 μm, or from 60to 100 μm, specifically reciting all values within these ranges and anyranges created thereby. The caliper is measured using ISO 534 asmodified herein.

It is worth noting that the package material of the present disclosureis different than cartonboard, cardboard, and brown paper bags. Forexample, cartonboard is not as flexible as the package materials of thepresent disclosure. Cartonboard is designed and is inherently stifferthan the package materials of the present disclosure and can be moredifficult to process on converting lines due to their stiffness.Additionally, cartonboard has a higher basis weight than do the packagematerials of the present disclosure.

Similarly, cardboard is also different than the package materials of thepresent disclosure. Cardboard has a much higher basis weight than thepackage materials of the present disclosure. Additionally, cardboard ismuch less flexible than the package materials of the present disclosure.Cardboard materials are commonly fluted and comprise three plies of apaper material and as such, is structurally different than the packagematerials of the present disclosure. Additionally, the package materialof the present disclosure has a much lower basis weight than doescardboard.

Some advantages that the packaging material of the present disclosurehave over cartonboard and cardboard include the flexibility as discussedherein. However, another advantage is that the package materials of thepresent disclosure take up less space than their more-bulky cartonboardand cardboard counterparts. Another advantage of the package materialsof the present disclosure is that they allow the absorbent articlestherein to be compressed within the package. This allows for moreproducts to fit within a smaller volume package which also enableefficiency.

Regarding brown paper bags which were prevalent in grocery stores forcarrying groceries, the packages of the present disclosure are alsodifferent. As discussed in additional detail herein, the packagematerial of the present disclosure is adhesively sealed such that theabsorbent articles are completely enclosed and protected from theexternal environment by the package material. More specifically, thepackage of absorbent articles in accordance with the present disclosuredoes not have an opening into which items can be placed. Instead, thepackage of absorbent articles in accordance with the present disclosureis sealed to reduce the likelihood of contamination of the absorbentarticles during shipping, stocking, and sitting on store shelves. Incontrast, the conventional brown paper bags widely used in grocerystores decades ago, comprise an opening into which items can be placed.Additionally, these brown paper bags do not offer any barrier tomoisture vapor absorption.

Despite having reduced flexibility compared to plastic packaging andlower basis weight than cardboard and cartonboard, the inventors havesurprisingly found the packaging material of the present disclosure canwithstand the rigors of a manufacturing process where a plurality ofabsorbent articles is placed within the package as well as the rigors ofbeing shipped, provide protection from environmental insults duringshipping, and while on the store shelf, and provide for productprotection while in the consumers home.

In addition, examples are contemplated where the absorbent articlebacksheet is in direct contact with the inner surface of the packagematerial. Packages of the present disclosure comprising diapers may beconfigured in this manner Feminine hygiene pads, including menstrualpads, liners, adult incontinence pads, and the like, may be individuallywrapped in order to protect panty fastening adhesive on their respectivebacksheets. In packages with these articles, the individually wrappedarticle may be in direct contact with the inner surface of the packagematerial. Forms are contemplated where the wrapper which wraps theindividual articles may comprise natural fibers as described herein.Additionally, such wrappers may be recyclable as described herein.

As noted previously, absorbent article manufacturers may purchase thepackaging material already preformed into open bags or may purchaserolls of packaging material. Regardless of whether the package materialis on rolls or pre-formed to some extent, the packages of the presentdisclosure begin with paper stock. Referring to FIGS. 1A-1B, edgeportions 100 and 110 of a paper stock sheet 99 may be folded in onthemselves and subsequently adhered together to form a seal. Forexample, side portions 100 and 110 of the sheet 99 may be folded orsimply translated transversely inward towards a longitudinal centerline90 of the sheet 99. These edge portions can be overlapped with oneanother and adhered together to form an overlap seal. Alternatively, theedge portions 100 and 110 may be adhesively joined together on theirrespective inner surfaces to form a butt seal. It worth noting that buttseals tend to not lay as flat as an overlap seals. So where the seal islocated, at least in part, on a bottom panel, an overlap seal may bedesirable such that the package sits on a more-flat bottom panel. Thejoining of the edge portions 100 and 110 is referred to as the hoopseal.

Referring now to FIGS. 1C-1E, the sheet of packaging material may besuitably folded to form bag side creases 12 b and 13 b and two sidefolds 12 a and 13 a on opposite sides, to form the bag structure 4having a first surface 10, a second and third surface 12, 13,respectively, and a fourth and a fifth surface 14, 15. An open end 48(e.g., a gusseted bag structure) opposes the first surface 10. Each sidecrease 12 b, 13 b is located at the respective second or third surface12, 13. It is worth noting that in FIGS. 1C and 1D, the crease and foldsshown are for a package having a block configuration or block bottomconfiguration. Gussets and fold lines for a pinch bottom bag arediscussed in additional detail regarding FIG. 2B.

The bag 4 may be filled by inserting articles such as a stack ofabsorbent articles through the open end 48. When the bag 4 is filledwith a plurality of articles, e.g. by entering articles from the openend 48, the device used to introduce the articles inside the bag 4together with the articles may exert some tension on each of the secondand third surfaces 12, 13 of the bag 4. For example, the articles can becompressed before being inserted into the bag 4. So the articles mayslightly expand after they are introduced in the bag 4 and thus exertsome tension on the second and third surfaces 12, 13 as well as thefourth surface 14 and the fifth surface 15. The tension is exerted oneach of the creases 12 b, 13 b at the respective second and thirdsurfaces 12, 13, particularly along the first and second side folds 12a, 13 a with which the package may maintain a substantiallyparallelepiped-shape.

As may be appreciated from FIG. 1D, the open end 48 opposite firstsurface 10 may then be closed to form the sixth surface 11. Any suitablestyle of closing may be utilized. As an example, the sixth surface maycomprise closing gussets 11 b by bringing edges of the bag 4 togetherand bonding them together to form a closing seam 11 a and a closing seamfin 11 c extending from the closing seam 11 a, and sixth surface 11. Inyet another example, the sixth surface may comprise seams which arejoined together in a block style configuration or cross styleconfiguration discussed hereafter.

An example of a block style configuration is shown in FIG. 2A. As shown,the first surface 10 may comprise a block style configuration comprisingseals 220 and 230. The first surface 10 may comprise a base portion 240.A first flap of package material 250 may be folded onto the base portion240. Adhesive may be provided to attach the first flap of packagematerial 250 to the base portion 240 thereby forming the first seal 220.A second flap of package material 260 may be folded and adhesivelyattached to the base portion 240 and on top of the first flap of packagematerial 250. Adhesive may be provided to attach the second flap ofpackage material 260 to the base portion 240 and to the first flap ofpackage material 250 thereby forming the second seal 230. A similarexecution may be utilized regarding the sixth surface 11.

Another example of a panel sealing style which can be utilized with thepackages of the present disclosure is the pinch style configuration orthe pinch bottom style. An example of a pinch style configuration isshown in FIG. 2B. As shown, one of the key differences between the blockbottom and the pinch bottom configuration is the creases 12 b and 13 b.Instead of creases on the sides 12 and 13, a pinch style configurationcomprises gussets 22 b and 23 b on the first surface 10. Additionally,in the pinch bottom configuration, the first surface 10 comprises a foldline 10 a which may be absent in the block style configuration.

Cross style configurations are also acceptable for sealing portions ofthe package material of the present disclosure. An example of a crossbottom style configuration is shown in FIG. 2C. As shown, one of the keydifferences between the cross style configuration and the block styleconfiguration, is that gussets 32 b and 33 b are oriented outward. Incontrast, fold lines 12 a and 13 a on the second surface 12 and thethird surface 13, respectively in FIG. 1C are oriented inward prior tofilling the package. Due to the orientation of the gussets 32 b and 33 bin the cross style configuration, filling the package with absorbentarticles may require less energy to expand the package for filling. Asan example, creases oriented inward, e.g. block style configuration,would require displacement outward of the creases prior to filling thepackage. Additionally, the equipment utilized in guiding the productinto the package will have a reduced likelihood of interference with thegussets of the cross bottom configuration given their orientationoutward. This can reduce the likelihood of packaging mishaps ormanufacturing process stoppages due to quality issues.

Still referring to FIG. 2C, similar to the block style configuration,the first surface 10 of the cross style configuration comprises seals320 and 330. The first surface comprises a base portion 340. A firstflap of package material 350 may be folded and adhesively attached tothe base portion 340. First seal 320 may be provided to attach the firstflap of package material 350 to the base portion 340. A second flap ofpackage material 360 may be folded onto the base portion 340 and on topof the first flap of package material 350. Second seal 330 may beprovided to adhesively attach the second flap of package material 360 tothe base portion 340 and to the first flap of package material 350. Asimilar execution may be utilized regarding the sixth surface (formedafter the placement of absorbent articles therein).

Regardless of the sealing configuration, i.e. block, cross, or pinch,these configurations are known in the art. It is worth noting that forless bulky items where standability of the package is desired, the blockbottom or cross bottom may be desirable. However, for bulky items thepinch style configuration bags may be beneficial as the bulky absorbentarticles therein can form a steady base for the package to stand.Additionally, it is worth noting that block style and cross styleconfiguration packages tend to be themselves more-bulky than their pinchstyle counterparts. For the purposes of packaging, unfilled packages cancome in stacks to an absorbent article manufacturer. Typically, stacksof block style and cross style configuration packages will take up morespace—due to their bulkiness—than their pinch style counterparts. Thebulkiness of the block and cross style configurations can make thestacks more difficult to manipulate during the filling processparticularly where a large number of packages are created per minute. Insuch instances, the bulkiness of these configurations can mean anincreased frequency of replenishment of the stacks. So for packages(unfilled) comprising the same packaging material but different sealingstyle, i.e. block and pinch, the block style configuration will take upmore space than their pinch style counterparts.

Regarding FIG. 2D, recall that colorant coverage regarding seams/sealswas mentioned. As shown in FIG. 2D, the base portion 240 may compriseinner edges 240A, seal areas 241 and 242, and colorant and coating freeareas 245. As noted previously, in an effort to save on colorant weightpercentage, it is contemplated that areas of the base portion 240 whichare disposed under the first flap of package material 250 and secondflap of package material 260 may be configured such that no colorantsand/or coatings are provided in these areas. The exposed areas of thebase portion 240 may comprise colorants and/or coatings. The seal areas241 and/or 242 may be similarly configured as the colorant and coatingfree areas 245. Or, one or more of the seal areas 241 and 242 maycomprise colorant and/or coating. And while a block style configurationis shown in FIG. 2D, the foregoing may be applied to cross styleconfigurations as well.

Referring back to FIGS. 1C-1E, the bag 4 and package 1 dimensions may besuitably selected and effected through design, folding, stacking,compression and packaging processes so that the package 1 retains theabsorbent articles therein and maintains a neat, stable, a substantiallyparallelepiped-shape, i.e. a cuboid shape of the package 1.

The first surface 10 may comprise the top panel of the package 1. Or thefirst surface 10 may comprise bottom panel of the package 1. It is worthnoting that if the first surface 10 comprises seals, it may be desirableto make the first surface 10 comprise the bottom panel. In this way theseals may be hidden from view on the store shelf. Similarly, the secondand third surfaces 12 and 13, as they may comprise gussets 12 b and 13b, respectively, may comprise the left panel and right panel,respectively, or vice versa. Which leaves one of the fourth and fifthsurfaces 14 and 15 to comprise the consumer-facing panel. So, at leastone of the fourth and/or fifth surface 14, 15, may comprise branding,package information and/or background color as described herein.However, as noted previously, branding, package information, and/orbackground color is not limited to the consumer-facing panel. Anycombination of the panels of the packages of the present disclosure maycomprise branding, package information, and/or background color.

Recall that the flow wrap package configuration was also discussedheretofore. Some examples of flow wrap packages are shown in FIGS. 3Aand 3B. FIG. 3A shows an exemplary flow wrap package which comprises agenerally cuboid shape. Cuboid-shaped packages were discussedheretofore. Package 301, as shown comprises a first panel 310, opposingsecond and third panel 312 and 313, respectively; opposing fourth andfifth panel 314 and 315, respectively, and a sixth panel 311 opposingthe first panel 310. As shown, the second panel 312 may comprise an endseal 312 a, and the third panel 313 may comprise an end seam 313 a. Ahoop seal 316 may be disposed, in part on the second panel 312, thethird panel 313, and the sixth panel 311. In such configurations, eitherthe first panel 310 or the fifth panel 315 may comprise theconsumer-facing panel.

FIG. 3B shows another exemplary package 328 in accordance with thepackages of the present disclosure. Much like package 301 of FIG. 3A,package 328 is a flow wrap configuration. As shown, package 328comprises a first surface 324 and an opposing second surface 321.Rounded edges may be provided as a transition between the first surface324 and the second surface 321. Or, one or more fold lines may beprovided between the first surface 324 and the second surface 321.Package 328 may further comprise end seals 322 and 323, and a hoop seal326 which may be disposed on the second surface 321. In such packages,the first surface 324 may comprise the consumer-facing panel.

Regarding both FIGS. 3A and 3B, while the packages shown, i.e. 301 and328, comprise butt seals for the end seal, overlap seals may also beutilized. For example, one or more of the end seals 312 a, 313 a, 322,and 323 may comprise an overlap seal. Similarly, the hoop seal, i.e. 316and 326, may comprise either a butt seal or an overlap seal.

In yet another example, a Totani™ style bag may be utilized. The Totani™style of bag may comprise seams/seals which are move overt than theirblock bottom, pinch bottom, and/or cross bottom counterparts. Referringto FIGS. 4A and 4B, a Totani™ style package 1400 is shown. The package1400 may be configured in generally a cuboid shape. The package 1400 maycomprise a first panel 1411, opposing second and third panels 1412 and1413, opposing fourth and fifth panels 1414 and 1415, and a sixth panel1410 opposing the first panel 1411. As shown, between the fourth panel1414 and the sixth panel 1410, a first seal 1420 extends outward. Thefirst seal 1420 forms a sort of foot for the package 1400. A second sealmay extend outward between the fifth panel 1415 and the sixth panel 1410in a similar fashion to the first seal 1420. It is worth noting that insome forms, the first panel 1411 may lay flat much like the sixth panel1410.

The first seal 1420 can extend such that a portion of the first seal1420 is on the second panel 1412 and another portion of the first seal1420 is disposed on the third panel 1413. Similarly, a portion of thesecond seal may be disposed on the second panel 1412 and another portionmay be disposed on the third panel 1413. The first seal 1420 and thesecond seal may be provided where the sixth panel 1410 is formed from adiscrete piece of material which is subsequently joined to the fourthpanel 1414 and fifth panel 1415. Of course forms where the sixth panel1410 is unitary with the fourth panel 1414 and fifth panel 1415 are alsocontemplated.

A third seal 1430 and a fourth seal 1440 may extend outward from thesecond panel 1412 and the third panel 1413, respectively. It is worthnoting that the first seal 1420, second seal, third seal 1430, andfourth seal 1440 collectively may comprise the hoop seal discussedheretofore. So, one, all or any combination, of these seals may exhibitthe tensile strength for the hoop seal as described herein.

As shown, the package 1400 may further comprise a fifth seam 1450 and asixth seam 1460 which are disposed on the sixth panel 1411. The fifthseam 1450 and sixth seam 1460 can extend into a seal fin 1480. It isworth noting that the package 1400 and the seams associated therewith,may be assembled as described herein regarding adhesives, films, and/orcombinations of films and adhesives. However, the construction of thepackage 1400 is particularly well suited for the creation of seams viafilm coating on an inner surface of the package material. In suchconfigurations, the film may form a barrier that reduces the likelihoodor at least the amount of moisture vapor through the package material tothe absorbent articles therein.

The packages of the present disclosure may comprise a plurality ofcompressed articles, e.g. compressed disposable absorbent articles. Forexample, packages of the present disclosure may be used foraccommodating feminine hygiene pads. As shown in FIG. 4, the package 1defines an interior space 1002 in which a plurality of absorbentarticles 1004 are situated. The plurality of absorbent articles 1004 maybe arranged in one or more stacks 1006. The absorbent articles may bepacked under compression so as to reduce the size of the packages, whilestill providing an adequate amount of absorbent articles per package. Bypackaging the absorbent articles under compression, caregivers caneasily handle and store the packages, while also providing distributionsavings to manufacturers owing to the size of the packages. Despitelacking the stretch properties of conventional plastic packagingmaterial, the inventors have surprisingly found the package materials ofthe present disclosure are able to withstand the processing anddistribution rigors, as mentioned heretofore, even with absorbentarticles which are compressed within the package. This is particularlyunexpected as the materials of the present invention do not display thestretch properties of presently used conventional plastic films.

Accordingly, packages of the absorbent articles of the presentdisclosure may have an In-Bag Stack Height of less than about 150 mm,less than about 110 mm, less than about 105 mm, less than about 100 mm,less than about 95 mm, less than about 90 mm, less than about 85 mm,less than about 80 mm, less than about 78 mm, less than about 76 mm,less than about 74 mm, less than about 72 mm, or less than about 70 mm,specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the specified rangesand all ranges formed therein or thereby, according to the In-Bag StackHeight Test described herein. Alternatively, packages of the absorbentarticles of the present disclosure may have an In-Bag Stack Height offrom about 70 mm to about 150 mm, from about 70 mm to about 110 mm, fromabout 70 mm to about 105 mm, from about 70 mm to about 100 mm, fromabout 70 mm to about 95 mm, from about 70 mm to about 90 mm, from about70 mm to about 85 mm, from about 72 mm to about 80 mm, or from about 74mm to about 78 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments withinthe specified ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby, accordingto the In-Back Stack Height Test described herein.

It is worth noting that the absorbent articles within the packages ofthe present disclosure can be arranged in a myriad of configurations.For example, absorbent articles of the present disclosure may bedisposed within the package such that they are oriented in a verticalorientation, or the absorbent articles may be arranged such that theyare arranged in a horizontal configuration, for example as shown in FIG.5. Forms are contemplated where a combination of horizontal andvertically oriented articles are provided in the package.

Additionally, the articles within the package may be oriented such thatone longitudinal peripheral edge of each of the plurality of articles ismore proximal to the consumer-facing panel than another longitudinalperipheral edge. For example, where the number of absorbent articleswithin the package is relatively high, e.g. greater than nine, theabsorbent articles may be arranged within the package as describedheretofore. However, where the number of absorbent articles within thepackage is lower than, for example nine, the absorbent articles may bearranged such that a topsheet or a backsheet of an absorbent article ismore proximal to the consumer-facing panel. Additional absorbentarticles may be stacked behind the absorbent article which is closest tothe consumer-facing panel. Forms are contemplated where there is acombination of orientations within the package. For example, at leastone absorbent article can be arranged such that one of its longitudinalperipheral side edges is more proximal the consumer-facing panel thananother, and at least one absorbent article can be arranged such thatits topsheet or backsheet is more proximal to the consumer-facing panel.The remainder of the absorbent articles, if any, can assume either ofthose configurations.

Absorbent Articles

As noted previously, the absorbent articles which can be packaged withinthe package material of the present disclosure are numerous. Twospecific examples are provided in FIGS. 6 through 7C. However, thepackage material and packages of the present disclosure may be utilizedto contain a multitude of absorbent articles as described previously.FIGS. 6 through 7C are merely examples of articles which may becontained with the package material/packages of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 6 an exemplary feminine hygiene pad 400 is shown. The femininehygiene pad 400 comprises a topsheet 420, a backsheet 450, and anabsorbent core 440 disposed between the topsheet 420 and the backsheet450. A fluid management layer 430 may be disposed between the topsheet420 and the absorbent core 440. The absorbent article has awearer-facing surface 460 and an opposing garment-facing surface 462.The wearer-facing surface 460 primarily comprises the topsheet 420 whilethe garment-facing surface 462 primarily comprises the backsheet 450.Additional components may be included in either the wearer-facingsurface 460 and/or the garment-facing surface 462. For example, wherethe absorbent article is an incontinence pad, a pair of barrier cuffswhich extend generally parallel to a longitudinal axis L of theabsorbent article 400, may also form a portion of the wearer-facingsurface 460. Similarly, a fastening adhesive may be present on thebacksheet 450 and form a portion of the garment-facing surface 462 ofthe absorbent article.

The topsheet 420 may be joined to the backsheet 450 by attachmentmethods (not shown) such as those well known in the art. The topsheet420 and the backsheet 450 may be joined directly to each other in thearticle periphery and may be indirectly joined together by directlyjoining them to the absorbent core 440, the fluid management layer 430,and/or additional layers disposed between the topsheet 420 and thebacksheet 450. This indirect or direct joining may be accomplished byattachment methods which are well known in the art.

The topsheet 420 may be compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating tothe wearer's skin. Suitable topsheet materials include a liquid perviousmaterial that is oriented towards and contacts the body of the wearerpermitting bodily discharges to rapidly penetrate through it withoutallowing fluid to flow back through the topsheet to the skin of thewearer. The topsheet, while being capable of allowing rapid transfer offluid through it, may also provide for the transfer or migration of thelotion composition onto an external or internal portion of a wearer'sskin.

A suitable topsheet 420 can be made of various materials such as wovenand nonwoven materials; apertured film materials including aperturedformed thermoplastic films, apertured plastic films, and fiber-entangledapertured films; hydro-formed thermoplastic films; porous foams;reticulated foams; reticulated thermoplastic films; thermoplasticscrims; or combinations thereof.

Apertured film materials suitable for use as the topsheet include thoseapertured plastic films that are non-absorbent and pervious to bodyexudates and provide for minimal or no flow back of fluids through thetopsheet. Nonlimiting examples of other suitable formed films, includingapertured and non-apertured formed films, are more fully described inU.S. Pat. No. 3,929,135, issued to Thompson on Dec. 30, 1975; U.S. Pat.No. 4,324,246, issued to Mullane et al. on Apr. 13, 1982; U.S. Pat. No.4,342,314, issued to Radel et al. on Aug. 3, 1982; U.S. Pat. No.4,463,045, issued to Ahr et al. on Jul. 31, 1984; U.S. Pat. No.5,006,394, issued to Baird on Apr. 9, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,518,issued to Curro et al. on Sep. 2, 1986; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,643,issued to Curro et al. on Dec. 16, 1986.

Nonlimiting examples of woven and nonwoven materials suitable for use asthe topsheet include fibrous materials made from natural fibers, e.g.cotton, including 100 percent organic cotton, modified natural fibers,synthetic fibers, or combinations thereof. These fibrous materials canbe either hydrophilic or hydrophobic, but it is preferable that thetopsheet be hydrophobic or rendered hydrophobic. As an option, portionsof the topsheet can be rendered hydrophilic, using any known method formaking topsheets containing hydrophilic components. Nonwoven fibroustopsheets 20 may be produced by any known procedure for making nonwovenwebs, nonlimiting examples of which include spunbonding, carding,wet-laid, air-laid, meltblown, needle-punching, mechanical entangling,thermo-mechanical entangling, and hydroentangling.

The topsheet 420 may be formed from a combination of an apertured filmand a nonwoven. For example, a film web and a nonwoven web can becombined as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,700,463. Alternatively, a filmmay be extruded onto a nonwoven material which is believed to provideenhanced contact between the film layer and the nonwoven material.Exemplary processes for such a combination are described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 9,849,602 and 9,700,463.

The backsheet 450 may be positioned adjacent a garment-facing surface ofthe absorbent core 440 and may be joined thereto by attachment methodssuch as those well known in the art. For example, the backsheet 450 maybe secured to the absorbent core 440 by a uniform continuous layer ofadhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines,spirals, or spots of adhesive. Alternatively, the attachment methods maycomprise using heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamicmechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment methods orcombinations of these attachment methods as are known in the art.

The backsheet 450 may be impervious, or substantially impervious, toliquids (e.g., urine) and may be manufactured from a thin plastic film,although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. Asused herein, the term “flexible” refers to materials which are compliantand will readily conform to the general shape and contours of the humanbody. The backsheet may prevent, or at least inhibit, the exudatesabsorbed and contained in the absorbent core from wetting articles ofclothing which contact the incontinence pad such as undergarments.However, the backsheet may permit vapors to escape from the absorbentcore (i.e., is breathable) while in some cases the backsheet may notpermit vapors to escape (i.e., non-breathable). Thus, the backsheet maycomprise a polymeric film such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene orpolypropylene. A suitable material for the backsheet is a thermoplasticfilm having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051mm (2.0 mils), for example. Any suitable backsheet known in the art maybe utilized with the present invention.

The backsheet 450 acts as a barrier to any absorbed bodily fluids thatmay pass through the absorbent core 440 to the garment surface thereofwith a resulting reduction in risk of staining undergarments or otherclothing. A preferred material is a soft, smooth, compliant, liquid andvapor pervious material that provides for softness and conformabilityfor comfort, and is low noise producing so that movement does not causeunwanted sound.

Exemplary backsheets are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,265 (Osborn,III.) issued Mar. 23, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 6,462,251 (Cimini) issued Oct.8, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,464 (Bewick-Sonntag) issued Sep. 23, 2003or U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,439 (Arndt) issued Dec. 16, 2003. Suitable dualor multi-layer breathable backsheets for use herein include thoseexemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,881,489, 4,341,216, 4,713,068,4,818,600, EP 203 821, EP 710 471, EP 710 472, and EP 793 952.

Suitable breathable backsheets for use herein include all breathablebacksheets known in the art. In principle there are two types ofbreathable backsheets, single layer breathable backsheets which arebreathable and impervious to liquids and backsheets having at least twolayers, which in combination provide both breathability and liquidimperviousness. Suitable single layer breathable backsheets for useherein include those described for example in GB A 2184 389, GB A 2184390, GB A 2184 391, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,591,523, 3,989,867, 3,156,242 andWO 97/24097.

The backsheet may be a nonwoven web having a basis weight between about20 gsm and about 50 gsm. As an example, the backsheet can be arelatively hydrophobic 23 gsm spunbonded nonwoven web of 4 denierpolypropylene fibers available from Fiberweb Neuberger, under thedesignation F102301001. The backsheet may be coated with a non-soluble,liquid swellable material as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,508(Ciammaichella) issued Aug. 20, 2002.

The backsheet has a garment-facing side and an opposite body-facingside. The garment-facing side of the backsheet comprises a non-adhesivearea and an adhesive area. The adhesive area may be provided by anyconventional means. Pressure sensitive adhesives have been commonlyfound to work well for this purpose.

The absorbent core 440 may comprise any suitable shape including but notlimited to an oval, a discorectangle, a rectangle, an asymmetric shape,and an hourglass. For example, in some forms of the present invention,the absorbent core 440 may comprise a contoured shape, e.g. narrower inthe intermediate region than in the end regions. As yet another example,the absorbent core may comprise a tapered shape having a wider portionin one end region of the pad which tapers to a narrower end region inthe other end region of the pad. The absorbent core may comprise varyingstiffness in the MD and CD.

The configuration and construction of the absorbent core may vary (e.g.,the absorbent core 440 may have varying caliper zones, a hydrophilicgradient, a superabsorbent gradient, or lower average density and loweraverage basis weight acquisition zones). Further, the size and absorbentcapacity of the absorbent core 440 may also be varied to accommodate avariety of wearers. However, the total absorbent capacity of theabsorbent core 440 should be compatible with the design loading and theintended use of the disposable absorbent article or incontinence pad.

In some forms of the present invention, the absorbent core may comprisea plurality of multi-functional layers that are in addition to the firstand second laminates. For example, the absorbent core may comprise acore wrap (not shown) useful for enveloping the first and secondlaminates and other optional layers. The core wrap may be formed by twononwoven materials, substrates, laminates, films, or other materials. Ina form, the core wrap may only comprise a single material, substrate,laminate, or other material wrapped at least partially around itself.The absorbent core may comprise one or more adhesives, for example, tohelp immobilize the SAP or other absorbent materials within the firstand second laminates.

Absorbent cores comprising relatively high amounts of SAP with variouscore designs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,335 to Goldman et al.,EP 1,447,066 to Busam et al., WO 95/11652 to Tanzer et al., U.S. Pat.Publ. No. 2008/0312622A1 to Hundorf et al., and WO 2012/052172 to VanMalderen. These may be used to configure the superabsorbent layers.

Additions to the core of the present disclosure are envisioned. Inparticular, potential additions to the current multi-laminate absorbentcore are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678, entitled “High-DensityAbsorbent Structures” issued to Weisman et al., on Sep. 9, 1986; U.S.Pat. No. 4,673,402, entitled “Absorbent Articles With Dual-LayeredCores”, issued to Weisman et al., on Jun. 16, 1987; U.S. Pat. No.4,888,231, entitled “Absorbent Core Having A Dusting Layer”, issued toAngstadt on Dec. 19, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735, entitled “HighDensity Absorbent Members Having Lower Density and Lower Basis WeightAcquisition Zones”, issued to Alemany et al., on May 30, 1989. Theabsorbent core may further comprise additional layers that mimic thedual core system containing an acquisition/distribution core ofchemically stiffened fibers positioned over an absorbent storage core asdetailed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,423, entitled “Absorbent Article WithElastic Waist Feature and Enhanced Absorbency” issued to Alemany et al.,on Aug. 10, 1993; and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,345. These are useful tothe extent they do not negate or conflict with the effects of the belowdescribed laminates of the absorbent core of the present invention.Additional examples of suitable absorbent cores are described in U.S.Patent Application Publication Nos. 2018/0098893 and 2018/0098891.

Any suitable fluid management layer may be utilized in conjunction withthe feminine hygiene pad 400. The fluid management layer may be separateand apart from the absorbent system. Additionally, the fluid managementlayer is disposed beneath the topsheet and on the wearer-facing surfaceof the core. The fluid management layer may have a basis weight fromabout 40 gsm to about 100 gsm, from about 45 gsm to about 75 gsm, orfrom about 50 gsm to about 65 gsm, specifically including all valueswithin these ranges and any ranges created thereby. In some forms, thefluid management layer may comprise a homogeneous mix of fibers whereasin other forms, the fluid management layer may comprise a heterogeneousmix of fibers.

Some exemplary fluid management layers are described in U.S. PatentApplication Publication Nos. 2015/0351976 A1 and 2014/0343523 A1; andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/729,704.

Another example of an absorbent article which can be included in thepackages of the present disclosure are diapers. As shown in FIG. 7A, aplan view of an example absorbent article that is a diaper 1900 in itsflat-out, uncontracted state (i.e., with elastic induced contractionpulled out) with portions of the structure being cut-away to moreclearly show the construction of the diaper 1900 and with itswearer-facing surface toward the viewer. This diaper is shown forillustration purpose only as the packages of the present disclosure maybe used for a wide variety of diapers and other absorbent articles.

The absorbent article may comprise a liquid permeable topsheet 1924, aliquid impermeable backsheet 1925, an absorbent core 1928 positioned atleast partially intermediate the topsheet 1924 and the backsheet 1925,and barrier leg cuffs 1934. The absorbent article may also comprise aliquid management system (“LMS”) 1950 (shown in FIG. 6B), which, in theexample represented, comprises a distribution layer 1954 and anacquisition layer 1952 that will both be further discussed below. Invarious forms, the acquisition layer 1952 may instead distribute bodilyexudates and the distribution layer 1954 may instead acquire bodilyexudates or both layers may distribute and/or acquire bodily exudates.The LMS 1950 may also be provided as a single layer or two or morelayers. The absorbent article may also comprise elasticized gasketingcuffs 1932 joined to the chassis 1982 of the absorbent article,typically via the topsheet and/or backsheet, and substantially planarwith the chassis of the diaper.

The Figures also show typical taped diaper components such as afastening system comprising adhesive tabs 1942 or other mechanicalfasteners attached towards the rear edge of the absorbent article 1900and cooperating with a landing zone 1944 on the front of the absorbentarticle 1900. The absorbent article may also comprise other typicalelements, which are not represented, such as a rear elastic waistfeature (1936 shown in FIG. 8) and a front elastic waist feature (1937shown in FIG. 8), for example.

The absorbent article 1900 may comprise a front waist edge 1910, a rearwaist edge 1912 longitudinally opposing the front waist edge 1910, afirst side edge 1903, and a second side edge 1904 laterally opposing thefirst side edge 1903. The front waist edge 1910 is the edge of theabsorbent article 1900 which is intended to be placed towards the frontof the user when worn, and the rear waist edge 1912 is the oppositeedge. Together the front waist edge 1910 and the rear waist edge formwaist opening when the absorbent article 1900 is donned on a wearer. Theabsorbent article 1900 may have a longitudinal axis 1980 extending fromthe lateral midpoint of the front waist edge 1910 to a lateral midpointof the rear waist edge 1912 of the absorbent article 1900 and dividingthe absorbent article 1900 in two substantially symmetrical halvesrelative to the longitudinal axis 1980, with article placed flat andviewed from the wearer-facing surface as illustrated FIG. 7A. Theabsorbent article may also have a lateral axis 1990 extending from thelongitudinal midpoint of the first side edge 1903 to the longitudinalmidpoint of the second side edge 1904. The length L of the absorbentarticle 1900 may be measured along the longitudinal axis 1980 from thefront waist edge 1910 to the rear waist edge 1912. The crotch width ofthe absorbent article 1900 may be measured along the lateral axis 1990from the first side edge 1903 to the second side edge 1904. Theabsorbent article 1900 may comprise a front waist region 1905, a rearwaist region 1906, and a crotch region 1907. The front waist region, therear waist region, and the crotch region each define ⅓ of thelongitudinal length of the absorbent article. Front and back portionsmay also be defined on opposite sides of the lateral axis 1990.

The topsheet 1924, the backsheet 1925, the absorbent core 1928, and theother article components may be assembled in a variety ofconfigurations, in particular by gluing or heat embossing, for example.Example diaper configurations are described generally in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,860,003, 5,221,274, 5,554,145, 5,569,234, 5,580,411, and 6,004,306.

The absorbent core 1928 may comprise an absorbent material comprising75% to 100%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, orat least 99%, all by weight, of the absorbent material, specificallyreciting all 0.1% increments within the above-specified ranges and allranges formed therein or thereby, and a core wrap enclosing theabsorbent material. The core wrap may typically comprise two materials,substrates, or nonwoven materials 16 and 16′ for the top side and bottomside of the core.

The absorbent core 1928 may comprises one or more channels, representedin FIG. 6A as the four channels 1926, 1926′ and 1927, 1927′.Additionally or alternative, the LMS 1950 may comprises one or morechannels, represented in FIGS. 7A-7C as channels 1949, 1949′. In someforms, the channels of the LMS 1950 may be positioned within theabsorbent article 1900 such they aligned with, substantially alignedwith, overlap, or at least partially overlap, the channels of theabsorbent core 1928. These and other components of the absorbentarticles will now be discussed in more details.

The topsheet 1924 is the part of the absorbent article that is directlyin contact with the wearer's skin. The topsheet 1924 may be joined tothe backsheet 1925, the core 1928 and/or any other layers as is known tothose of skill in the art. Usually, the topsheet 1924 and the backsheet1925 are joined directly to each other in some locations (e.g., on orclose to the periphery of the article) and are indirectly joinedtogether in other locations by directly joining them to one or moreother elements of the absorbent article 1900.

The backsheet 1925 is generally that portion of the absorbent article1900 positioned adjacent the garment-facing surface of the absorbentcore 1928 and which prevents, or at least inhibits, the bodily exudatesabsorbed and contained therein from soiling articles such as bedsheetsand undergarments. The backsheet 1925 is typically impermeable, or atleast substantially impermeable, to liquids (e.g., urine, running BM),but permeable to vapors to allow the diaper to “breath”. The backsheetmay, for example, be or comprise a thin plastic film such as athermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm to about 0.051mm Example backsheet films include those manufactured by TredegarCorporation, based in Richmond, Va., and sold under the trade name CPC2film. Other suitable backsheet materials may include breathablematerials which permit vapors to escape from the absorbent article 1900while still preventing, or at least inhibiting, bodily exudates frompassing through the backsheet 1925. Example breathable materials mayinclude materials such as woven webs, nonwoven webs, and compositematerials such as film-coated nonwoven webs, microporous films, andmonolithic films. In one specific example, the backsheet may comprise afilm and a nonwoven, wherein the nonwoven (1971 shown in FIG. 8) forms aportion of a garment-facing surface of the article.

The backsheet 1925 may be joined to the topsheet 1924, the absorbentcore 1928, and/or any other element of the absorbent article 1900 by anyattachment methods known to those of skill in the art. Suitableattachment methods are described above with respect to methods forjoining the topsheet 1924 to other elements of the absorbent article1900.

As used herein, the term “absorbent core” refers to the individualcomponent of the absorbent article having the most absorbent capacityand that comprises an absorbent material. The absorbent core maycomprise a core wrap or core bag (hereafter “core wrap”) enclosing theabsorbent material. The term “absorbent core” does not include the LMSor any other component of the absorbent article which is not eitherintegral part of the core wrap or placed within the core wrap. Theabsorbent core may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of, acore wrap, absorbent material as defined below, and glue enclosed withinthe core wrap. Pulp or air-felt may also be present within the core wrapand may form a portion of the absorbent material. The absorbent coreperiphery, which may be the periphery of the core wrap, may define anysuitable shape, such as a “T,” “Y,” “hour-glass,” or “dog-bone” shape,for example. An absorbent core periphery having a generally “dog bone”or “hour-glass” shape may taper along its width towards the middle or“crotch” region of the core. In this way, the absorbent core may have arelatively narrow width in an area of the absorbent core intended to beplaced in the crotch region of an absorbent article.

The absorbent core 1928 of the present disclosure may comprise anabsorbent material with a high amount of superabsorbent polymers (hereinabbreviated as “SAP”) enclosed within a core wrap. The SAP content mayrepresent 70% to 100% or at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or100% by weight of the absorbent material contained in the core wrap. TheSAP useful with the present disclosure may include a variety ofwater-insoluble, but water-swellable polymers capable of absorbing largequantities of fluids. The core wrap is not considered as absorbentmaterial for the purpose of assessing the percentage of SAP in theabsorbent core. The remainder of the absorbent material in the core 1928may be air-felt.

“Absorbent material” means a material which has some absorbency propertyor liquid retaining properties, such as SAP, cellulosic fibers as wellas synthetic fibers. Typically, glues used in making absorbent coreshave no absorbency properties and are not considered as absorbentmaterial. The SAP content may be higher than 80%, for example at least85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, and even up to andincluding 100% of the weight of the absorbent material contained withinthe core wrap, as stated above. This provides a relatively thin corecompared to conventional cores typically comprising between 40-60% SAP,for example, and high content of cellulose fibers or airfelt. Theabsorbent material may comprise less than 15% or less than 10% weightpercent of natural or synthetic fibers, less than 5% weight percent,less than 3% weight percent, less than 2% weight percent, less than 1%weight percent, or may even be substantially free of, or free of,natural and/or synthetic fibers, specifically reciting all 0.1%increments within the specified ranges and all ranges formed therein orthereby. The absorbent material may comprise little or no airfelt(cellulose) fibers, in particular the absorbent core may comprise lessthan 15%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 2%, 1% airfelt (cellulose) fibers by weight, ormay even be substantially free of, or free of, cellulose fibers,specifically reciting all 0.1% increments within the specified rangesand all ranges formed therein or thereby.

The absorbent core 1928 may also comprise a generally planar top sideand a generally planar bottom side. The core 1928 may have alongitudinal axis 80′ corresponding substantially to the longitudinalaxis 80 of the absorbent article, as seen from the top in a planar viewas in FIG. 6A. The absorbent material may be distributed in higheramount towards the front side than towards the rear side as moreabsorbency may be required at the front in particular articles. Theabsorbent material may have a non-uniform basis weight or a uniformbasis weight across any portion of the core. The core wrap may be formedby two nonwoven materials, substrates, laminates, or other materials,1916, 1916′ which may be at least partially sealed along the sides ofthe absorbent core. The core wrap may be at least partially sealed alongits front side, rear side, and two longitudinal sides so thatsubstantially no absorbent material leaks out of the absorbent corewrap. The first material, substrate, or nonwoven 1916 may at leastpartially surround the second material, substrate, or nonwoven 1916′ toform the core wrap. The first material 1916 may surround a portion ofthe second material 1916′ proximate to the first and second side edges1903 and 1904.

Cores comprising relatively high amount of SAP with various core designsare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,335 (Goldman), EP 1,447,066(Busam), WO 95/11652 (Tanzer), U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2008/0312622A1(Hundorf), and WO 2012/052172 (Van Malderen).

The absorbent material may be one or more continuous layers presentwithin the core wrap. Alternatively, the absorbent material may becomprised of individual pockets or stripes of absorbent materialenclosed within the core wrap. In the first case, the absorbent materialmay be, for example, obtained by the application of a single continuouslayer of absorbent material. The continuous layer of absorbent material,in particular of SAP, may also be obtained by combining two or moreabsorbent layers having discontinuous absorbent material applicationpattern, wherein the resulting layer is substantially continuouslydistributed across the absorbent particulate polymer material area, asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2008/0312622A1 (Hundorf), forexample. The absorbent core 1928 may comprise a first absorbent layerand a second absorbent layer. The first absorbent layer may comprise thefirst material 1916 and a first layer 1961 of absorbent material, whichmay be 100% or less of SAP. The second absorbent layer may comprise thesecond material 1916′ and a second layer 1962 of absorbent material,which may also be 100% or less of SAP.

The fibrous thermoplastic adhesive material 1951 may be at leastpartially in contact with the absorbent material 1961, 1962 in the landareas and at least partially in contact with the materials 1916 and1916′ in the junction areas. This imparts an essentiallythree-dimensional structure to the fibrous layer of thermoplasticadhesive material 591, which in itself is essentially a two-dimensionalstructure of relatively small thickness, as compared to the dimension inlength and width directions. Thereby, the fibrous thermoplastic adhesivematerial may provide cavities to cover the absorbent material in theland area, and thereby immobilizes this absorbent material, which may be100% or less of SAP.

The core wrap may be made of a single substrate, material, or nonwovenfolded around the absorbent material, or may comprise two (or more)substrates, materials, or nonwovens which are attached to another.Typical attachments are the so-called C-wrap and/or sandwich wrap. In aC-wrap, the longitudinal and/or transversal edges of one of thesubstrates are folded over the other substrate to form flaps. Theseflaps are then bonded to the external surface of the other substrate,typically by gluing. Other techniques may be used to form a core wrap.For example, the longitudinal and/or transversal edges of the substratesmay be bonded together and then folded underneath the absorbent core andbonded in that position.

The core wrap may be at least partially sealed along all the sides ofthe absorbent core so that substantially no absorbent material leaks outof the core. By “substantially no absorbent material” it is meant thatless than 5%, less than 2%, less than 1%, or about 0% by weight ofabsorbent material escape the core wrap. The term “seal” is to beunderstood in a broad sense. The seal for the core wrap does not need tobe continuous along the whole periphery of the core wrap but may bediscontinuous along part or the whole of it, such as formed by a seriesof seal points spaced on a line. A seal may be formed by gluing and/orthermal bonding.

The core wrap may also be formed by a single substrate which may encloseas in a parcel wrap the absorbent material and be sealed along the frontside and rear side of the core and one longitudinal seal.

The absorbent article may comprise a pair of barrier leg cuffs 1934.Each barrier leg cuff may be formed by a piece of material which isbonded to the absorbent article so it can extend upwards from the innersurface of the absorbent article and provide improved containment ofliquids and other bodily exudates approximately at the junction of thetorso and legs of the wearer. The barrier leg cuffs 1934 are delimitedby a proximal edge 1964 joined directly or indirectly to the topsheet1924 and/or the backsheet 1925 and a free terminal edge 1966, which isintended to contact and form a seal with the wearer's skin. The barrierleg cuffs 1934 extend at least partially between the front waist edge1910 and the rear waist edge 1912 of the absorbent article on oppositesides of the longitudinal axis 1980 and are at least present in thecrotch region 1907. The barrier leg cuffs 1934 may be joined at theproximal edge 1964 with the chassis of the absorbent article by a bond1965 which may be made by gluing, fusion bonding, or combination ofother suitable bonding processes. The bond 1965 at the proximal edge1964 may be continuous or intermittent. The bond 1965 closest to theraised section of the leg cuffs 1934 delimits the proximal edge 1964 ofthe standing up section of the leg cuffs 1934.

The barrier leg cuffs 1934 may be integral with the topsheet 1924 or thebacksheet 1925 or may be a separate material joined to the absorbentarticle's chassis. The material of the barrier leg cuffs 1934 may extendthrough the whole length of the diapers but may be “tack bonded” to thetopsheet 1924 towards the front waist edge 1910 and rear waist edge 1912of the absorbent article so that in these sections the barrier leg cuffmaterial remains flush with the topsheet 1924.

Each barrier leg cuff 1934 may comprise one, two or more elastic strandsor strips of film 1935 close to this free terminal edge 1966 to providea better seal. It is worth noting that barrier leg cuffs may similarlybe applied to a pad type of structure as described regarding FIG. 5.Such configurations may be desirable in an adult incontinence pad. Anyof the configurations described herein for the barrier leg cuffs may beutilized for adult incontinence pads.

In addition to the barrier leg cuffs 1934, the absorbent article maycomprise gasketing cuffs 1932, which are joined to the chassis of theabsorbent article, in particular to the topsheet 1924 and/or thebacksheet 1925 and are placed externally relative to the barrier legcuffs 1934. The gasketing cuffs 1932 may provide a better seal aroundthe thighs of the wearer. Each gasketing leg cuff may comprise one ormore elastic strings or elastic elements 1933 in the chassis of theabsorbent article between the topsheet 1924 and backsheet 1925 in thearea of the leg openings. All or a portion of the barrier leg and/orgasketing cuffs may be treated with a lotion or skin care composition.The barrier leg cuffs may be constructed in a number of differentconfigurations, including those described in U.S. Pat. App. Publ. No.2012/0277713.

In a form, the absorbent article may comprise front ears 1946 and rearears 1940. The ears may be an integral part of the chassis, such asformed from the topsheet 1924 and/or backsheet 1925 as side panel.Alternatively, as represented on FIG. 7A, the ears (1946, 1940) may beseparate elements attached by gluing, heat embossing, and/or pressurebonding. The rear ears 1940 may be stretchable to facilitate theattachment of the tabs 1942 (fasteners 1943) to the landing zone 1944and maintain the taped diapers in place around the wearer's waist. Therear ears 1940 may also be elastic or extensible to provide a morecomfortable and contouring fit by initially conformably fitting theabsorbent article to the wearer and sustaining this fit throughout thetime of wear well past when absorbent article has been loaded withexudates since the elasticized ears allow the sides of the absorbentarticle to expand and contract.

One function of the LMS 1950 is to quickly acquire the fluid anddistribute it to the absorbent core 1928 in an efficient manner. The LMS1950 may comprise one or more layers, which may form a unitary layer ormay remain as discrete layers which may be attached to each other. TheLMS 1950 may comprise two layers: a distribution layer 1954 and anacquisition layer 1952 disposed between the absorbent core and thetopsheet, but the present disclosure is not limited to such aconfiguration.

The LMS 1950 may comprise SAP as this may slow the acquisition anddistribution of the fluid. In other forms, the LMS may be substantiallyfree (e.g., 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% free of) or completely free ofSAP. The LMS may also comprise one or more of a variety of othersuitable types of materials, such as opened-cell foam, air-laid fibers,or carded, resin bonded nonwoven materials, for example. Suitableexample LMSs are described in WO 2000/59430 (Daley), WO 95/10996(Richards), U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,254 (McDowall), and WO 02/067809 (Grad),for example.

The LMS 1950 may comprise a distribution layer 1954. The distributionlayer 1954 may comprise at least 50% or more by weight of cross-linkedcellulose fibers, for example. The cross-linked cellulosic fibers may becrimped, twisted, or curled, or a combination thereof including crimped,twisted, and curled. This type of material is disclosed in U.S. Pat.Publ. No. 2008/0312622 A1 (Hundorf).

The LMS 1950 may alternatively or additionally comprise an acquisitionlayer 1952. The acquisition layer 1952 may be disposed, for example,between the distribution layer 1954 and the topsheet 1924. Theacquisition layer 1952 may be or may comprise a non-woven material, suchas an SMS or SMMS material, comprising a spunbonded, a melt-blown and afurther spunbonded layer or alternatively a carded chemical-bondednonwoven. The acquisition layer 1952 may comprise air or wet-laidcellulosic, cross-linked cellulosic, or synthetic fibers, or blendsthereof. The acquisition layer 1952 may comprise a roll-stock web ofsynthetic fibers (which may be processed to increase void space, such asby solid state formation), or a combination of synthetic and cellulosicfibers, bonded together to form a highloft material. Alternatively, theacquisition layer 1952 may comprise absorbent open cell foam. Thenonwoven material may be latex bonded.

The LMS 1950 of the absorbent article 1900 may comprise channels thatmay generally enable better conformation of the absorbent article to thewearer's anatomy, leading to increased freedom-of-movement and reducedgapping. One or more of the channels of the LMS 1950 may be configuredto work in concert with various channels in the absorbent core 1928, asdiscussed above. Furthermore, channels in the LMS 1950 may also provideincreased void space to hold and distribute urine, BM or other bodilyexudates within the absorbent article, leading to reduced leakage andskin contact Channels in the LMS 1950 may also provide internalserviceable indicia, especially when highlighted via physicaldifferences in texture, color, and/or pattern, to facilitate achievingthe correct alignment of the absorbent article on a wearer. Thus, suchphysical differences may be, for example, visually and/or tactilelynoticeable.

Wetness Indicator/Graphics

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 8, the absorbent articles 1900 of the presentdisclosure may comprise graphics 780 and/or wetness indicators 800 thatare visible from the garment-facing surface 702. The graphics 780 may beprinted on the landing zone 740, the backsheet 1925, and/or at otherlocations. The wetness indicators 800 are typically applied to theabsorbent core facing side of the backsheet 1925, so that they can becontacted by bodily exudates within the absorbent core 1928. In someinstances, the wetness indicators 800 may form portions of the graphics780. For example, a wetness indicator may appear or disappear andcreate/remove a character within some graphics. In other instances, thewetness indicators 800 may coordinate (e.g., same design, same pattern,same color) or not coordinate with the graphics 780.

Test Methods ASTM F88-06—Tensile Strength

This test method determines the strength of a seal in flexible barriermaterials by measuring the force required to separate a test strip ofmaterial containing the seal. Seal strength is measured in accordancewith compendial method ASTM F0088-06 on a constant rate of extensiontensile tester, with procedural specifics noted herein. A suitableinstrument is the Instron Model 5965 using Bluehill Universal Software,both available from Instron Norwood, Mass.), or equivalent. Allmeasurements are performed in a laboratory maintained at 23° C.±2° C.and 50%±2% relative humidity and test samples are conditioned in thisenvironment for 2 hours prior to testing.

The preparation of the test specimens and test procedure is described inthe referenced ASTM method, with the following specific details. Thetest specimen is cut to a width of 1.0 inch, the grip separation rate is300 mm/min, and the tail-holding method is unsupported. The maximumforce encountered as the test specimen is stressed to failure isrecorded as force per unit width to the nearest 0.1 N/in. The test isrepeated for a total of five replicate test specimens. Calculate thearithmetic mean for maximum seal strength and report as Tensile Strengthto the nearest 0.1 N/in.

ISO 1924-3—Tensile Properties (Tensile Strength, Stretch, EnergyAbsorption)

The tensile properties (tensile strength, stretch and energy absorption)of a test sample are calculated from measured force and elongationvalues obtained using a constant rate of elongation test until thesample breaks. The test is run in accordance with compendial method ISO1924-3, with modifications noted herein. Measurements are made on aconstant rate of extension tensile tester using a load cell for whichthe forces measured are within 1% to 99% of the limit of the cell. Asuitable instrument is the MTS Alliance using Test Suite Software,available from MTS Systems Corp., Eden Prairie, Minn., or equivalent.All measurements are performed in a laboratory maintained at 23° C.±2°C. and 50%±2% relative humidity and test samples are conditioned in thisenvironment for at least 2 hours prior to testing.

Measurements are made on both MD (machine direction) and CD (crossdirection) test samples taken from rolls or sheets of the raw material,or test samples obtained from a finished package. When excising the testsample from a finished package, use care to not impart any contaminationor distortion to the sample during the process. The excised sampleshould be free from residual adhesive and taken from an area of thepackage that is free from any seams or folds. The test sample is cut toa width of 25.4 mm with a length that can accommodate a test span of50.8 mm. The long side of the sample is parallel to the direction ofinterest (MD, CD). Normally in finished packages, the MD runs from thebottom to the top of the package, but this can be verified bydetermining the fiber orientation if in doubt. Ten replicate testsamples should be prepared from the MD and ten additional replicatesfrom the CD.

Program the tensile tester for a constant rate of extension uniaxialelongation to break as follows. Set the gauge length (test span) to 50.8mm using a calibrated gauge block and zero the crosshead. Insert thetest sample into the grips such that the long side is centered andparallel to the central pull axis of the tensile tester. Raise thecrosshead at a rate of 25.4 mm/min until the test sample breaks,collecting force (N) and extension (mm) data at 100 Hz throughout thetest. Construct a graph of force (N) versus extension (mm). Read themaximum force (N) from the graph and record as Peak Force to the nearest0.1 N, noting MD or CD. Read the extension at the maximum force (N) fromthe graph and record as Elongation at Break to the nearest 0.01 mm,noting MD or CD. From the graph, determine the point (z) where thetangent to the curve, with a slope equal to the maximum slope of thecurve, intersects the elongation axis. Now calculate the area under theforce vs elongation curve from point z up to the point of maximum forceand report to the nearest 0.1 mJ, noting MD or CD. [Refer to FIG. 2 inISO 1924-3 for a depiction of a typical force vs elongation curve wherepoint z is denoted.]

Calculate the arithmetic mean Peak Force for all MD replicates and thenall CD replicates and record respectively as Mean MD Peak Force and MeanCD Peak Force to the nearest 0.1 N. Calculate the arithmetic meanElongation at Break for all MD replicates and then all CD replicates andrecord respectively as Mean MD Elongation at Break and Mean CDElongation at Break to the nearest 0.01 mm Calculate the arithmetic meanarea under the force vs elongation curve for all MD replicates and thenall CD replicates and record respectively as Mean Area Under MD Curveand Mean Area Under CD Curve to the nearest 0.1 mJ.

Tensile strength is calculated by dividing the Mean Peak Force (N) bythe width of the test sample (25.4 mm). Calculate the tensile strengthfor the MD replicates and then the CD replicates and report respectivelyas MD Tensile Strength and CD Tensile Strength to the nearest 0.1 kN/m.

Stretch at break is calculated by dividing the Mean Elongation at Break(mm) by the initial test length (test span) of 50.8 mm, and thenmultiplying by 100. Calculate the stretch at break for the MD replicatesand then the CD replicates and report respectively as MD Stretch atBreak and CD Stretch at Break to the nearest percent.

ISO 2758—Burst Strength

Burst strength is the maximum uniformly distributed pressure that a testsample can withstand. Burst strength is measured in accordance withcompendial method ISO 2758 using a test apparatus as described withinthe method. A suitable instrument is the 13-60 Burst Tester for Paperand Foils available from Testing Machines, Inc (New Castle, Del.), orequivalent. The instrument is calibrated and operated as per themanufacturer's instructions. All measurements are performed in alaboratory maintained at 23° C.+/−2° C. and 50%+/−2% relative humidity,and test samples are conditioned in this environment for at least 2hours prior to testing.

Measurements are made on test samples taken from rolls or sheets of theraw material, or test specimens obtained from a finished package. Whenexcising a test sample from a finished package, use care to not impartany contamination or distortion to the test sample during the process.The test sample must be larger than the clamps used to hold the testsample in the instrument. The test sample should be taken from an areafree of folds, wrinkles or seams.

Measure the burst strength (using a clamping pressure sufficient toprevent slippage during the test, and a pumping rate of 95±15 mL/min)for a total of 10 replicate test samples. For samples that are sided,the side of the test sample that is meant to face the inside of thepackage faces the pressure when placed into the clamps, and 10replicates are tested in this orientation. For samples that are balanced(not sided), 5 replicates are tested with the inside of the packagefacing the pressure and 5 replicates are tested with the outside of thepackage facing the pressure, and the results are averaged together.Record the pressure at which each test sample bursts to the nearest0.001 kPa. If the burst pressure is less than 70 kPa, multiple layers ofthe test material must be used. To obtain the burst strength, divide theburst pressure by the number of layers tested. Calculate the arithmeticmean burst pressure for all replicates and report as Burst Strength tothe nearest 0.001 kPa.

ISO 534—Caliper

The caliper, or thickness, of a single-layer test sample is measuredunder a static load by a micrometer, in accordance with compendialmethod ISO 534, with modifications noted herein. All measurements areperformed in a laboratory maintained at 23° C.±2° C. and 50%±2% relativehumidity and test samples are conditioned in this environment for atleast 2 hours prior to testing.

Caliper is measured with a micrometer equipped with a pressure footcapable of exerting a steady pressure of 70 kPa±0.05 kPa onto the testsample. The micrometer is a dead-weight type instrument with readingsaccurate to 0.1 micron. A suitable instrument is the TMI DigitalMicrometer Model 49-56, available from Testing Machines Inc., NewCastle, Del., or equivalent. The pressure foot is a flat ground circularmovable face with a diameter that is smaller than the test specimen andcapable of exerting the required pressure. A suitable pressure foot hasa diameter of 16.0 mm. The test sample is supported by a horizontal flatreference platform that is larger than and parallel to the surface ofthe pressure foot. The system is calibrated and operated per themanufacturer's instructions.

Measurements are made on single-layer test samples taken from rolls orsheets of the raw material, or test samples obtained from a finishedpackage. When excising the test sample from a finished package, use careto not impart any contamination or distortion to the sample during theprocess. The excised sample should be free from residual adhesive andtaken from an area of the package that is free from any seams or folds.The test sample is ideally 200 mm² and must be larger than the pressurefoot.

To measure caliper, first zero the micrometer against the horizontalflat reference platform. Place the test sample on the platform with thetest location centered below the pressure foot. Gently lower thepressure foot with a descent rate of 3.0 mm per second until the fullpressure is exerted onto the test sample. Wait 5 seconds and then recordthe caliper of the test sample to the nearest 0.1 micron. In likefashion, repeat for a total of ten replicate test samples. Calculate thearithmetic mean for all caliper measurements and report the value asCaliper to the nearest 0.1 micron.

ISO 536—Basis Weight

The basis weight of a test sample is the mass (in grams) per unit area(in square meters) of a single layer of material and is measured inaccordance with compendial method ISO 536. The mass of the test sampleis cut to a known area, and the mass of the sample is determined usingan analytical balance accurate to 0.0001 grams. All measurements areperformed in a laboratory maintained at 23° C.±2° C. and 50%±2% relativehumidity and test samples are conditioned in this environment for atleast 2 hours prior to testing.

Measurements are made on test samples taken from rolls or sheets of theraw material, or test samples obtained from a finished package. Whenexcising the test sample from a finished package, use care to not impartany contamination or distortion to the sample during the process. Theexcised sample should be free from residual adhesive and taken from anarea of the package that is free from any seams or folds. The testsample must be as large as possible so that any inherent materialvariability is accounted for.

Measure the dimensions of the single layer test sample using acalibrated steel metal ruler traceable to NIST, or equivalent. Calculatethe Area of the test sample and record to the nearest 0.0001 squaremeter. Use an analytical balance to obtain the Mass of the test sampleand record to the nearest 0.0001 gram. Calculate Basis Weight bydividing Mass (in grams) by Area (in square meters) and record to thenearest 0.01 grams per square meter (gsm). In like fashion, repeat for atotal of ten replicate test samples. Calculate the arithmetic mean forBasis Weight and report to the nearest 0.01 grams/square meter.

In-Bag Stack Height Test

The in-bag stack height of a package of absorbent articles is determinedas follows:

Equipment

A thickness tester with a flat, rigid horizontal sliding plate is used.The thickness tester is configured so that the horizontal sliding platemoves freely in a vertical direction with the horizontal sliding platealways maintained in a horizontal orientation directly above a flat,rigid horizontal base plate. The thickness tester includes a suitabledevice for measuring the gap between the horizontal sliding plate andthe horizontal base plate to within ±0.5 mm. The horizontal slidingplate and the horizontal base plate are larger than the surface of theabsorbent article package that contacts each plate, i.e. each plateextends past the contact surface of the absorbent article package in alldirections. The horizontal sliding plate exerts a downward force of850±1 gram-force (8.34 N) on the absorbent article package, which may beachieved by placing a suitable weight on the center of thenon-package-contacting top surface of the horizontal sliding plate sothat the total mass of the sliding plate plus added weight is 850±1grams.

Test Procedure

Absorbent article packages are equilibrated at 23±2° C. and 50±5%relative humidity prior to measurement.

The horizontal sliding plate is raised and an absorbent article packageis placed centrally under the horizontal sliding plate in such a waythat the absorbent articles within the package are in a horizontalorientation (see FIG. 3). Any handle or other packaging feature on thesurfaces of the package that would contact either of the plates isfolded flat against the surface of the package so as to minimize theirimpact on the measurement. The horizontal sliding plate is loweredslowly until it contacts the top surface of the package and thenreleased. The gap between the horizontal plates is measured to within±0.5 mm ten seconds after releasing the horizontal sliding plate. Fiveidentical packages (same size packages and same absorbent articlescounts) are measured and the arithmetic mean is reported as the packagewidth. The “In-Bag Stack Height”=(package width/absorbent article countper stack)×10 is calculated and reported to within ±0.5 mm

Percentage of Colorant Coverage Measurement Method

The Percentage of Colorant Coverage measurement method measures thepercent area of colorant coverage on a package panel. A flatbed scannercapable of scanning a minimum of 24 bit color at 800 dpi with manualcontrol of color management (a suitable scanner is an Epson PerfectionV750 Pro from Epson America Inc., Long Beach Calif., or equivalent) isused to acquire images. The scanner is interfaced with a computerrunning color calibration software capable of calibrating the scanneragainst a color reflection IT8 target utilizing a correspondingreference file compliant with ANSI method IT8.7/2-1993 (suitable colorcalibration software is Monaco EZColor or i1Studio available from X-RiteGrand Rapids, Mich., or equivalent). The color calibration softwareconstructs an International Color Consortium (ICC) color profile for thescanner, which is used to color correct an output image using an imageacquisition program that supports application of ICC profiles. The colorcorrected image is then segmented via color thresholding using coloranalysis software (a suitable image color analysis software is MATLABR2017b available from The Mathworks, Inc., Natick, Mass.).

The samples are conditioned at about 23° C.±2° C. and about 50%±2%relative humidity for 2 hours prior to testing.

The scanner is turned on 30 minutes prior to calibration and imageacquisition. Deselect any automatic color correction or color managementoptions that may be included in the scanner software. If the automaticcolor management cannot be disabled, the scanner is not appropriate forthis application. The recommended procedures of the color calibrationsoftware are followed to create and export an ICC color profile for thescanner. The color calibration software compares an acquired IT8 targetimage to a corresponding reference file to create and export the ICCcolor profile for a scanner, which will be applied within the imageanalysis program to correct the color of subsequent output images.

A sample is obtained from a package or package materials with identifiedpanels. A single panel is selected and cut along its perimeter to removeit for testing. Panels selected for testing should not contain tears orwrinkles.

The scanner lid is opened, and the sample carefully laid flat on thecenter of the scanner glass with the colored surface oriented toward theglass. A scan containing a panel region is acquired at 24 bit color witha resolution of 800 dpi (approximately 31.5 pixels per mm) inreflectance mode. The ICC color profile is assigned to the imageproducing a color corrected sRGB image. This calibrated image is savedin an uncompressed format to retain the calibrated R, G, B color values,such as a TIFF file, prior to analysis.

The calibrated image is opened in the color analysis software. The imageis smoothed using a 2D Gaussian filter with a sigma of 3 to blur out anyindividual dots of colorant. Next, utilizing a color thresholdingprogram, a color space to perform the color thresholding is selected,for example CIELAB with its three color values L*, a*, b*. Then a regionof interest (ROI) boundary is manually drawn within a visiblydiscernable region of only the base color, without any colorantspresent, to identify its color space values. A panel with no visiblebase color region will be deemed to have 100% colorant coverage. Thethresholding levels in all three channels of the selected color spaceare then manually adjusted to segment the regions of the panel thatcontain colorant coverage from those regions of the base color. The areaof the panel containing colorant coverage is measured and the percentageof the area of the panel containing colorant coverage is calculated andrecorded to the nearest whole percent.

In like manner, prepare, scan and analyze six replicate package panels.Calculate and report the arithmetic mean of the measured percent area ofcolorant coverage values to the nearest whole percent.

SCWVTR and WVTR

This test method is performed according to ASTM F1249-13 under thefollowing test conditions: The temperature is 38° C. (±0.56° C.) and therelative humidity is 90% (±3%). The water vapor transmission rate isreported in g/m²/day.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A package of one or more absorbent articles, thepackage comprising a package material, wherein the package materialcomprises natural fibers, wherein the package comprises a plurality ofpanels, including a consumer-facing panel, wherein the package is sealedsuch that the one or more absorbent articles are enclosed therein,wherein the package material exhibits a water vapor transmission rateunder stress conditions “SCWVTR” in accordance with ASTM F1249, asmodified herein, which is about 300 g/(m²*day) or less, wherein thepackage material is recyclable, and wherein each of the one or moreabsorbent articles comprise super absorbent polymer (SAP) in an amountof greater than about 5 grams per article.
 2. The package of claim 1,wherein the package material further comprises a film layer disposed onan inner surface of the package material.
 3. The package of claim 2,wherein the film layer comprises an insoluble polymer.
 4. The package ofclaim 3, wherein the film layer comprises a polyolefin.
 5. The packageof claim 1, wherein the package is substantially free of adhesive. 6.The package of claim 1, wherein the package material exhibits an SCWVTRof from between 20 g/(m²*day) to about 300 g/(m²*day).
 7. The package ofclaim 1, wherein the package material exhibits an SCWVTR of from about70 g/(m²*day) to about 150 g/(m²*day).
 8. The package of claim 1,wherein the package material exhibits an SCWVTR of less than about 100g/(m²*day).
 9. The package of claim 1, wherein the package materialexhibits an SCWVTR of from between about 20 g/(m²*day) to about 100g/(m²*day).
 10. The package of claim 1, wherein the film layer is 5weight percent or less of the package material.
 11. The package of claim1, wherein the package material exhibits an SCWVTR of less than 100g/(m²*day), and wherein the package material comprises at least 90percent recyclable material, as determined by the Repulpability Testmethod.
 12. The package of claim 1, wherein the package materialexhibits an SCWVTR of from between 80 g/(m²*day) and 100 g/(m²*day), andwherein the package material comprises at least 90 percent recyclablematerial.
 13. The package of claim 1, wherein the package materialexhibits a recyclable percentage of at least 80 percent.
 14. The packageof claim 1, wherein the package material exhibits a recyclablepercentage of between 60 percent to about 99.9 percent.
 15. The packageof claim 1, wherein the package material comprises at least 50 percentby weight natural fibers.
 16. The package of claim 1, wherein thepackage material comprises 70 and 99 percent by weight of naturalfibers.
 17. The package of claim 1, wherein the natural fibers compriseat least one of wood fibers or pulp fibers.
 18. The package of claim 1,wherein the package comprises a plurality seals and wherein each of theplurality seals has a tensile strength of at least 3 N/in.
 19. Thepackage of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of seals hasa tensile strength of from between 15N/in to about 40 N/in.
 20. Thepackage of claim 19, wherein the one or more absorbent articles withinthe package comprise diapers or adult incontinence pants.
 21. Thepackage of claim 1, wherein the each of the one or more absorbentarticles comprise a substantially inactivated wetness indicator.
 22. Thepackage of claim 1, wherein the one or more absorbent articles comprisea breathable film as a backsheet component.